ill 


UC-NRLF 


SB    77    Eflfl 


GIFT   OF 


X) 


From  Babel  to  Brotherhood 


BABEL 
TO  BROTHERHOOD 

By 

Frederick  Henry  Denman 


NEW  YORK: 

The  Thwing  Company 
1912 


Copyright,  1912 
Frederick  Henry  Denman 


R5/534 


Hi  3. 


To  the  Memory 

of 
My  Father 

WILLIAM  MILLER  DENMAN 

A  Christian  Gentleman 

whose     tender     love,     active     charity,     radiating 

geniality      and      boundless      enthusiasm      in      all 

good    works    endeared    him     to     all    and    made 

him      to      me      an      inspiration      and      example 

and   my    most    intimate  friend 

I  dedicate  this  zvork. 


258655 


Argument 


THE  race  of  men  inhabited  the  earth 
enjoying  all  its  fruits  with  unrestricted 
liberty  of  action.  Instead  of  using  their 
gifts,  they  abused  them;  and  instead  of  devot 
ing  their  lives  to  right  living  and  the  worship 
of  the  Creator  and  Provider  of  their  bene 
fits,  man  forgot  God,  became  licentious,  vain 
and  debauched.  Only  one  man,  Noah,  when 
God  spoke,  listened  to  His  voice.  God  instructed 
Noah  and  then  sent  a  devastating  flood  which, 
excepting  Noah's  family,  wiped  out  all  living 
beings  from  the  earth.  The  race  of  man  was  then 
renewed  through  this  one  man  and  his  three  sons, 
upon  whom  God  placed  his  hope.  After  a  time 
their  issue  had  increased  and  stories  of  the  Flood 
disturbed  their  minds.  They  sought  to  build  a 
tower  and  thus  thwart  any  like  attempt  to  destroy 
men  by  a  flood.  They  argued,  but  at  last  were  all 


agreed.  They  started  work,  and  though  God 
warned  them,  they  worked  on.  At  last  God  sent 
the  Confusion  of  Tongues,  and  hatred  for  their 
kind  drove  them  apart.  They  wandered  over  all 
the  earth.  Those  staying  nearest  soonest  began  to 
acquire  some  degree  of  culture.  Time  progressed, 
nations  rose  and  fell,  hate  dominated  men  in  all 
their  relations.  The  Hebrew  race  was  created  by 
God  in  order  to  exemplify  the  value  of  His  law. 
A  Kedeemer  was  promised  to  this  nation.  They 
kept  the  letter  of  the  law  but  failed  to  see  its 
significance.  Christ  came  and  taught  the  Law  of 
Love.  The  people  of  His  race  were  .his  worst 
enemies.  A  church  grew  out  of  those  that  ac 
cepted  His  faith.  It  served  its  purpose  for  a  time. 
Europe's  people  came  under  its  influence  only  to 
rebel  against  its  tyrannies  and  doctrines  when  the 
Scriptures  were  revealed.  Finally  America  was 
discovered.  Kepresentatives  of  every  race  went 
there.  They  learned  that  cooperation  with  each 
other  was  helpful.  They  brought  the  nations  to 
friendship,  and  finally  the  Law  of  Love,  worked 
out  from  economic  uses  and  through  a  common 
language,  brought  men  as  one  again  to  worship 
God. 


FROM  "BABEL 
TO  BROTHERHOOD 


DISOBEDIENCE 

(~\F  all  God's  children  there  was  only  one 

Who  sought  to  hear  and  mind  his  Father's  voice 
Upon  the  earth."   Long  time  before  man's  birth 
God  had  looked  forth  upon  His  mighty  work 
And  in  the  beast,  the  plant,  had  found  it  good. 
But  all  possessions  that  delight  the  sense 
Failing  to  satisfy  the  father  heart 
He  said  "Let  us  make  in  our  image  man 
That  our  dear  child  shall  sweetly  worship,  love 
And  serve  us,  and  that  we  shall  evermore 
Enjoy  the  savor  of  his  gratitude 
And  dear  affection."    Thus  the  parental  heart. 
But  like  his  offspring,  disobedient  man, 
The  Father  came  to  feel  a  child's  neglect, 
Unthankfulness  and  wanton  disregard. 
Although  in  all  things  bountifully  blessed 
Our  primal  parents  wanting  nothing  but, 


From  Babel  to 


That  more  than  worthless  nothing  thus  removed 

From  them  by  God's  inhibitive  command, 

Could  not  refrain  from  disobedient  sin; 

Thus  for  themselves  provoking  God's  just  wrath 

And  for  their  progeny  a  lasting  curse. 

Unable  after  this  to  reinstate 

Themselves  in  the  Deity's  regard, 

And  listening  only  to  their  lustful  thought, 

Forgot  their  Maker  and  grew  cold  in  love. 

Only  a  few  removed  for  God's  own  use 

Still  served  Him  and  obeyed  in  deed  and  thought 

The  Father's  just  commands.     The  residue 

Filthy  and  lewd,  dishonored  the  fair  form. 

Offended  at  the  horrid  spectacle 

The  Almighty's  spirit  would  not  always  strive 

With  men  that  would  continually  sin. 

QNE  man  and  one  alone  of  all  the  Earth 

Would  listen  when  his  Heavenly  Father  spoke, 
So  hopeful  of  a  better  race  through  him, 
God  showed  to  Noah  the  divine  intent. 
At  last  it  seemed  that  one  man  would  obey ; 
The  voice  of  God  was  heard  at  least  by  him. 
Taunted  and  jeered  at  by  his  fellow  men 
This  new  selected  father  of  the  race 


10 


Brotherhood 


Worked  by  God's  order  and  directed  plan 
Until  at  last  was  finished  the  great  craft 
That  should  contain  each  kind  of  creature  life. 
Through  Adam's  disobedience,  sin  had  come; 
Noah  obeyed  and  hope  grew  out  of  this. 
Dreadful  the  scourge  that  fell  upon  the  Earth 
As  unremitting  torrents  drowned  the  land. 
The  helpless  beast,  all  creeping  things  and  man 
Alike  were  overwhelmed,  alike  destroyed, 
While  Noah  only  with  his  little  band 
After  the  Flood's  subsidence  ever  saw 
The  light  of  day.    A  landscape  terrible; 
Foul  meadows  soaked  with  filthy  ooze 
And  steaming  hillsides  vaporous  and  bare 
Flooding  the  rain  soaked  vales  already  full 
With  torrents  that  rushed  on  incessantly. 
The  stinking  carcasses  of  man  and  beast 
In  loathly  contact  with  their  works  reposed. 
Then  for  encouragement  and  for  a  sign 
The  Almighty  by  the  rainbow  promised  man 
That  not  again  should  all  the  Earth  be  drowned 
And  by  that  emblem  stimulated  him 
To  efforts  with  assurances  of  hope. 
Slowly  again,  but  with  their  hope  renewed, 
The  families  worked  and  founded  their  new  homes. 


ii 


From  Babel  to 


Courage  succeeded  faintness  and  despair 
As  added  years  saw  increase  multiply; 
While  generations  with  their  long-lived  sires 
In  leisurely  employment  prospering 
Reared  new  communities  in  which  to  dwell. 
But  as  before  the  Flood  wrong  had  prevailed, 
So  now  it  was  not  wholly  blotted  out. 
Noah,  intemperate  from  his  home-made  wine, 
Gave  opportunity  for  that  which  caused 
His  son  to  be  accursed,  and  all  his  seed 
To  be  outcast  of  man  except  to  serve. 
Increasing  numbers  peopled  now  the  Earth 
Spreading  abroad  and  making  life  again 
Seem  as  it  had  before  the  chastening  Flood 
Whose  mem'ry,  to  the  exclusion  of  God's  word, 
Continued  to  o'ershadow  all  their  thought. 
Years  passed  away,  cities  were  built  and  all 
Had  once  more  taken  on  the  usual  life; 
But  ever  the  sons  of  Noah  talked  with  fear 
Of  future  floods.    At  last  their  fear  took  form 
And  then  a  mighty  enterprise  was  planned. 

I>  Y  appointment  to  a  designated  place 

From  all  abroad  the  people  of  the  Earth 
Came  to  confer  upon  the  subject  of 


12 


Brotherhood 


Their  fearful  dread  and  how  they  might  provide 

Means  to  escape  again  from  a  like  fate. 

The  assembly  of  the  Earth's  progenitors 

Obsessed  as  one  race  of  a  single  thought, 

The  Earth's  first  parliament  assembled  then 

Upon  the  plains  of  Shinar,  there  to  scheme 

Salvation,  by  some  plan  to  be  devised, 

Against  another  chastisement  of  God. 

Speaking  one  language,  but  unskilled  in  art 

Of  making  laws,  they  crudely  shaped  rough  rules 

For  carrying  on  in  order  their  debate. 

At  last  they  came  to  indicate  that  all 

The  heads  of  families  should  alone  be  heard, 

And  these  accordingly  from  all  apart 

With  serious  mien  distinguished  from  the  rest 

Set  forth  their  fears  and  for  their  safety  planned. 

Crafty  and  shrewd  but  eagerly  intent 

None  wished  the  first  initiative  to  take. 

At  last  rose  one  more  daring  than  the  rest, 

Mmrod,  the  hunter,  chafing  at  delay 

Forward  in  all  things,  first  addressed  his  peers : 

"Here  have  we  come  my  brethren  and  friends 
To  urge  each  other  by  resource  and  skill 
To  work  for  our  advantage  and  our  sons'. 


From  Babel  to 


Far  have  I  traveled  up  and  down  the  earth 

Hunting  the  beasts,  and  from  their  rocky  nests 

Shooting  the  eagle  and  the  albatross. 

But  on  the  mountain  summit  and  the  plain 

Alike  are  seen  the  visit  of  that  flood 

That  overwhelmed  the  Earth  and  cursed  our  race. 

Men  that  are  strong  should  have  their  way 

Nor  let  occasion,  as  it  did  before,  swallow  us  up 

Leaving  to  chance  their  fate.    Are  we  not  Gods 

To  govern  all  things  else?    Why  not  ourselves? 

Who  is  to  interfere?" 

Thus  Nimrod  spoke, 

And  murmured  approbation  met  his  words. 
Then  up  rose  hoary  Shem,  old  Noah's  son : 

"Well  ask  ye  if  we  may  not  do  our  will? 
Listen,  and  of  my  own  remembrance  I  will  tell 
Of  things  I  saw,  nor  understood  till  now. 
My  beard  is  gray,  my  strength  is  less  than  his 
Whose  words  you  now  applaud.    But  in  my  youth 
Full  well  I  held  my  own  with  spear  and  bow; 
Traveled  I,  too,  throughout  the  bounteous  land, 
Climbing  steep  mounts  and  in  the  lowly  plains 
Visiting  cities  of  great  size  and  fair. 
The  farmer  brought  his  kine  from  the  lush  fields 


Brotherhood 


And  sold  them  in  the  market  place.    Traders 

Sold  their  wares,  men  came  and  went,  and  all 

Seemed  fair  and  joyous.    Strong  men  there  were,  too, 

Giants,  to  whom  we  would  seem  as  naught. 

The  maidens  danced  with  them;  the  elders  looked 

And  sipped  their  wine,  unheedful  what  all  did 

So  it  did  please  them.    Visions  have  I  seen 

When  riotous  grew  the  dance  from  heady  wine 

That  would  astonish  you  were  I  to  tell. 

Thus  spent  their  lives  that  lived  before  the  Flood 

Earth's  children,  whom  I  knew  and  lived  among, 

Answering  some  chiding  of  an  ancient  one 

'Are  we  not  gods?    Shall  we  not  do  our  will?' 

One  day,  however,  at  the  hour  of  dusk, 

My  father  bringing  back  his  pastured  flock, 

Showed  by  his  visage  that  his  mind  was  stirred. 

Strangely  at  us  around  the  board  he  looked, 

And  started  when  we  asked  him  his  concern. 

Nothing  he  answered  nor  vouchsafed  reply 

Until  one  day  I  followed  him  apart, 

And  in  a  clefted  rock  I  saw  him  kneel. 

Startled,  I  stopped,  for  though  alone, 

He  seemed  to  speak  to  some  one.    On  his  face 

There  shone  a  light  that  in  that  dark  retreat 

Was  like  the  day.    N'er  had  I  seen  him  thus. 


From  Babel  to 


Fainting  almost,  with  shaking  hands  I  stood, 

But  while  I  could  not  hear  could  comprehend 

A  Presence.    I  seemed  to  thrill  with  strange 

Sensations  pulsing  through  my  veins,  until 

It  faded  and  my  heart  grew  still  with  fear. 

Then  came  my  father  forth  and  saw  me  there. 

I  hastened  to  him,  asked  him  what  it  was? 

To  whom  he  spoke?    Why  did  he  look  so  strange? 

Then  sitting  by  me  he  unfolded  there 

That  God  (I  wondered  who  he  meant),  had  spoke 

Had  warned  him  of  the  dreadful  sins  of  men. 

How  he  had  made  the  Earth  and  all  besides, 

Created  beast,  and  bird,  and  at  last  man; 

That  God,  through  Adam's  sin,  had  lost  man's  love 

And  now  that  Adam's  race  becoming  vile 

By  their  obscene  and  proud,  offensive  ways, 

Determined  Him  to  start  the  race  anew. 

That  from  a  chosen  seed  in  virgin  soil 

And  nourished  there  the  Earth  might  grow 

With  better  life  from  this  selected  spear, 

God  had  selected  Noah  that  from  him 

Such  men  should  spring,  that  when  His  Spirit  spoke 

They  should  obey  His  voice  and  not  contend. 

With  bated  breath  I  heard  my  father's  words 

Nor  understood  them.    Who  was  this  great  God 

16 


Brotherhood 


That  spoke  without  a  sign,  whose  Spirit  vast 

We  did  not  know?    Was  it  perchance,  (the  thought 

Came  o'er  my  mind),  was  it  His  Spirit  that 

When  tempted  to  voluptuous  dance  and  route, 

Restrained  me  from  the  wanton  act?    Had  I 

Left  in  me  something  of  that  tender  spark 

Unrealized  till  then?    The  rest  you  know. 

I  only  say  'Do  what  you  will,  but  know 

There  is  a  God  whom  no  one  ever  saw 

With  whom  great  things  are  small  and  weak  ones  great. 

He  will  not  tolerate  unchastened  pride; 

Do  what  you  will,  but  know  you  are  not  gods." 

^  SILENCE  as  of  death  was  over  all 

As  ancient  Shem's  experience  was  told, 
Nor  was  that  silence  broken  for  a  time 
As  each  one  in  his  thoughts  could  recollect 
The  knowledge  that  he  too  had  sometime  felt 
Strange  movements  in  his  heart  that  chided  him. 
Then  rose  a  young  man  dark  of  hair  and  skin 
With  sinewy  form, — Gush,  eldest  son  of  Ham. 

"You  listed  well  my  friends  to  Shem's  wierd  tale, 
And  now  you  sit  supine  and  dream  again. 
I  know  the  story  for  I've  heard  it  oft 


From  Babel  to 


From  all  my  father's  family  many  times. 
You  know  me  too,  you  know  my  father's  curse 
But  what  of  that?    Must  we  serve  you  and  yours? 
You  cannot  prosper  but  we  share  your  good. 
You  have  the  care,  we  have  our  clothes  and  food 
You  find  the  means,  our  part  we  will  not  shirk." 

Then  answered  Javan,  skilled  in  building:     "Hark 
To  my  counsel.     Much  have  we  talked  and  long; 
Why  waste  we  longer  time?    I,  like  bold  Cush, 
Well  know  the  story  of  this  fabled  God 
Who  comes  to  men  in  dreams.    My  square  and  plane 
Have  never  found  His  place.    Nor  have  my  hands 
With  plummet  or  with  axe  discovered  Him. 
Strange  fancies  fill  the  minds  of  shepherds  who 
Alone  beneath  the  vaulted  blue  sit  quiet 
And  muse  and  count  the  stars  or  watch  for  signs. 
Practical  men  who  deal  in  facts  not  dreams 
Construct  not  fancies  filled  with  chambered  ghosts; 
We  build  of  stern  materials  we  can  touch. 
My  counsel  to  you  then  is  simply  this : 
The  plain  on  which  we  now  are  met  is  fair, 
High,  level,  spacious,  with  resources  which 
Will  furnish  all  our  requisite  supplies. 

Here  let  us  then  with  well  considered  plan 

i 

18 


Brotherhood 


Erect  a  tower,  a  tower  so  great  and  high 

That  it  will  hold  innumerable  store 

Of  all  things  useful  to  our  utmost  need ; 

That  it  will  hold  us  all  and  all  our  flocks 

Alike  provisioned  for  unlimited 

Abode.    Then  if  a  flood  again  shall  rise 

We  too  may  rise  with  it  and  stay  above. 

Shall  we  not  with  a  single  purpose  work 

Unitedly  against  some  new  calamity? 

We  shall  do  that  that  seemeth  to  us  best 

Nor  any  God  o'erthrow  our  cherished  plan. 

What  say  you?    When  shall  we  commence  the  work?" 

Loud  shouts  of  approbation  met  his  words 
Pledging  their  potent  aid  to  Javan's  work. 
The  men  of  Earth  had  now  a  leader  and  a  plan 
Nothing  beyond  this  would  they  see  or  care. 

BABEL 

PROUD  man,  with  reason  blessed,  now  feels  secure 

Untaught  by  lessons  past,  dares  God  again. 
Details  are  now  made  ready  for  the  work, 
Labors  divided,  while  the  skilled  Javan 
Directs  his  cohorts  through  their  chosen  heads 
Then  lays  he  out  with  calm  precision  there 


From  Babel  to 


A  plan  enormous  for  the  Tower's  great  base. 
Bricks  are  prepared  and  trenches  dug,  while  all 
With  utmost  energy  commence  the  work. 
But  as  their  work  commences,  suddenly 
The  thunder  roars,  a  lightning  flash  above 
Their  very  heads  comes  from  the  heavenly  vault. 
The  earth  shakes  and  the  quivering  plain 
A  moment  seems  to  rock  beneath  their  feet. 
They  stop  and  look  about  appalled,  for  naught 
Gives  evidence  of  a  storm.    Fearful  they  gaze 
Until  with  threats  and  chiding  they  are  urged 
By  Javan  to  take  up  again  their  work. 

"Ts  this  the  way  men  act  who  can  control 

All  things?    Are  we  not  able  to  withstand  a  storm?" 
No  storm  approached,  but  soon  a  mighty  wind 
Beat  over  all  the  plain,  and  still  no  cloud 
Betrayed  the  presence.    Then  a  sickening  calm 
When  every  sound  of  nature  hushed,  and  all 
Around  a  brooding  silence  seemed  to  hold 
The  voices  of  the  field.    This  they  endured, 
And  now  contemptuously,  with  heads  erect, 
They  waited  long  enough  to  understand 
Their  chiefs  commands,  indifferent  to  fear. 
Progressed  their  work  now  with  unbated  zeal. 


20 


Brotherhood 


Laboring  bands  each  pressed  th'  appointed  task 

While  caravans  brought  ample  stores  of  food, 

Apparel  and  necessities  required 

For  maintenance.    The  toil  went  on  apace. 

An  almost  frantic  energy  replaced 

The  former  idle,  pleasure-seeking  life, 

And  all  mankind  was  restless  to  outdo 

His  fellow  in  this  all  consuming  work. 

The  visible  evidence  of  this  labor  now 

Assumed  a  gratifying  shape  and  size. 

Kising  above  all  neighboring  heights,  it  stood 

A  prophecy  of  man's  creative  power. 

All  that  were  not  assembled  at  the  work 

Were  helping  by  some  other  means  the  end 

Sought  jointly  by  the  new  created  race. 

All  Earth's  inhabitants  a  common  cause 

Made  of  this  plan  to  shame  the  Deity. 

PROVOKED,  again  the  indulgent  Parent  saw 

The  sons  of  Noah  not  alone  defy, 
But  doubt  His  promise  and  His  spoken  word. 
Kefusing  homage,  gratitude  and  love 
And  disobedient  spite  of  benefits, 
God's  voice  they  would  not  hear,  or  hear  it,  heed. 
Along  this  way  rearing  their  mighty  tower 


21 


From  Babel  to 


The  race  of  man  toiled  patiently,  each  day 
As  misers  hoarding  gold  they  saw  increase 
The  pile  to  monstrous  size;  but,  miser-like, 
Its  greater  size  increased  their  lust  for  more. 


in  the  work  one  day  as  heretofore 
Great  Javan  with  authoritative  tone 
Gave  his  directions  in  th?  accustomed  way 
To  his  assistant,  Cush.    The  work  had  reached 
A  point  requiring  all  their  utmost  skill. 
What  then  was  the  surprise  of  Cush  to  hear 
Such  words  from  Javan'  s  lips  as  n'er  before 
His  ears  had  heard  or  now  could  understand. 
Amazed,  he  answered  asking  their  intent, 
While  Javan  fixed  him  with  intolerant  gaze. 
A  while  they  stood  thus,  then  again  essayed 
To  speak,  but  neither  understanding  other's  words, 
Till,  smarting  at  what  each  supposed  a  jest, 
They  both  sprang  from  their  place  of  conference 
Eeady  with  angry  word  to  wreak  revenge 
Upon  the  others  who  could  not  resent 
The  chastisement  of  blame  from  either  chief. 
No  sooner  had  their  vision  reached  the  work 
Than  anger  turned  to  wonder  when  they  saw 
All  work  had  stopped.    Some  men  stood  helpless  ; 


22 


Brotherhood 


Some,  running  to  and  fro,  made  strange  a  scene 
So  lately  pregnant  with  combined  attempt. 
Voices  were  raised,  man  screamed  at  man  in  vain 
Trying  to  make  each  other  understand. 
Mad  with  their  effort,  a  wild  noise  arose 
Of  all  in  different  jargon, — mad  they  yelled 
While  Gush  and  Javan,  who  would  quell  the  noise, 
Themselves  became  embroiled,  and,  like  the  rest, 
Added  their  angry  shouts  to  Babel's  din. 
Man  could  not  understand  his  fellow  man; 
Brother  his  brother  could  not  make  to  know 
His  meaning.    None  could  comprehend  a  word. 
Then  fear  took  hold  upon  the  trembling  host; 
Families  assembled,  separate  each  from  each, 
And  tried  in  whispers  now  converse  to  hold. 
Thus  passed  some  days,  but  stranger  it  became 
As  men  found  their  ability  to  speak 
Grow  less,  and  words  gave  place  to  awkward  signs, 
Till  finally  on  them  fell  such  great  alarm 
That  some,  assembling  necessary  goods 
Started  away — they  knew  not  where — away 
From  sight  and  sound  of  things  so  full  of  dread. 
As  days  went  by,  others  departed  too, 
Unable  to  resist  the  impulsive  fear, 
Desiring  naught,  and  loathing  only  man. 


From  Babel  to 


Nor  was  it  only  at  the  tower  the  curse 

Fell  on  mankind.    It  fell  on  all  who  worked 

For  the  unholy  cause.    Thus  everyone 

Was  in  like  manner  cursed,  for  all  had  toiled, 

Contributing  in  some  way  to  the  work; 

Sinning  alike  in  every  industry; 

Shepherd,  farrier,  farmer,  tanner,  all 

Because  contributing  to  the  shameful  deed. 

The  voice  of  God  they  would  not  understand 

When  in  the  past  He  spoke  or  gave  them  signs. 

Vile  rites  before  their  idols  gave  them  joy, 

And  filled  them  with  that  satisfaction  which 

Worship  of  some  sort  yields  to  God's  offspring. 

His  pure  word  and  that  spiritual  power 

Of  life,  of  truth,  of  love  that  from  Him  grow, 

Served  not  the  lustful  uses  of  these  men, 

Now  they  lost  every  interest  in  the  past, 

Nor  speech  nor  language  could  they  understand. 

Some  stayed  about  the  cursed,  part-built  tower, 

But  most  of  all  Earth's  people  terrified, 

Joined  in  the  exodus  to  leave  behind 

The  sight  of  things  that  would  at  all  remind 

Them  of  a  work  so  fatal  to  their  hope. 

Too  bruitish,  most,  to  apprehend  the  cause, 

Or  that  God's  wrath  administered  this  rebuke, 


Brotherhood 


They  only  fled  to  leave  behind  their  fear 

Each  effort  to  assuage  which  made  it  worse. 

Words  meant  for  consolation,  fear  provoked, 

And  frenzied  horror  froze  their  very  lips. 

Silent  they  went  then,  scattering  everywhere, 

Going  as  if  pursued ;  malign  and  dumb, 

Avoiding  all  inhabited  abodes; 

Living  upon  the  wild  growths  of  the  Earth, 

And  only  stopping  as  their  strength  gave  out, 

Or  as  they  thought  themselves  safe  from  pursuit. 

Of  time  they  lost  all  count,  lost  all  regard 

For  former  kinds  of  work.    Their  former  thoughts 

Seemed  lost  with  loss  of  speech ;  and  all  the  arts 

Had,  with  the  one  thing  that  distinguished  them 

From  others  of  the  Earth's  creation,  speech, 

Passed  from  their  minds.    Man's  second  fall  had  come. 

Nothing  remained  but  that  intuitive  sense 

That  causes  families  to  protect  their  young. 

DISPERSION 

I^HE  sons  of  Japhet,  sons  of  Shem  and  Ham 

Took  different  courses  and  went  various  ways, 
Again  dividing  into  smaller  groups,  as  on 
They  wandered  in  the  World's  first  exodus. 
Without  design  or  knowledge  of  their  path, 


From  Babel  to 


Losing  all  culture,  skill,  and  thoughts  acquired 
Through  man's  long  residence  upon  the  Earth, 
They  lived  like  beasts,  nor  sought  a  better  life. 
Except  that  instinct  of  the  untamed  beast 
One  only  thing  remained  of  memory : 
The  feeling  that  a  Deity  must  be. 
Years  followed  years  as  slowly  trooped  along 
Earth's  children.     Hating  each  the  other's  sight 
Stopping  somewhere  awhile,  then  going  on, 
Never  content  to  stay  in  one  place  long. 
South  went  the  children  of  unhappy  Ham 
There  to  be  separate,  in  a  continent 
But  little  likely  to  invite  pursuit. 
East  journeyed  such  of  Shem's  descent 
As  stayed  not  near,  with  some  of  Japhet's  sons, 
The  place  of  fatal  sin.    The  other  race 
Westward  took  up  its  way,  and  slowly  went 
By  devious  routes  to  continents  unknown. 
Eeduced  to  savagery  they  kept  no  law, 
They  kept  no  record  of  the  way  they  took. 
They  could  not  speak  intelligible  words, 
Nor  write,  nor  yet  perform  the  simplest  act 
Of  husbandry,  mechanics,  or  of  art. 
All  things  must  be  learned  anew  by  these, 
The  sons  of  men,  who,  by  presumptuous  sin, 


26 


Brotherhood 


Lost  knowledge  when  they  all  defied  its  source. 
"Are  we  not  gods?"  they  said — truly  God's  sons 
Dependent  on  the  Father  for  all  things. 
The  Giver  for  their  sin  took  back  the  gift, 
And  knowledge  perishing,  they  perished  too 
In  all  save  future  possibilities. 
Years  multiplied,  new  generations  born 
Came  into  being  'mid  environments 
Kemote  from  former  civilized  restraints. 
Forming  in  tribes  which  constantly  kept  small 
By  warfare,  accident,  and  foul  disease 
Induced  by  enmity  and  ignorance. 
O'er  all  the  earth  they  went  by  slow  degrees 
Remaining  alien  to  each  other  tribe. 
In  physical  characteristics  they  became 
Unlike  each  other.    So  in  rude  acts  too 
They  learned  in  different  ways  to  maintain  life 
And  slowly  to  construct  some  sort  of  speech 
To  assist  though  rudely  needed  intercourse. 
Centuries  passed  and  those  that  dwelt  apart, 
After  a  nomad  life  in  different  climes, 
Became  in  face,  in  manner  and  in  speech 
Repulsive  to  all  others  of  the  race. 
Instead  of  mutual  interest,  as  before, 
Now  every  man  opposed  each  other,  and 


27 


From  Babel  to 


Tribe  was  at  war  with  tribe,  and  man  with  man. 
Thus  man's  dispersion  and  his  second  fall, 
Fruit  of  presumption  and  idolatry. 
Failing  to  heed  his  Father's  holy  word, 
He  lost  the  good  that  from  obedience  flows. 

C\  NWARD  the  Earth  in  its  majestic  course 

Thro'  space  fulfilled  its  great  Creator's  will. 
Abundant  life  teemed  round  the  lovely  globe 
While  seasons  passed  in  fruitful  plenty  filled. 
Each  Summer  an  increased  luxuriance, 
Made  fecund  by  the  force  within  itself, 
Supported  life  new  made  from  out  the  old, 
Nor  lost,  but  seemed  to  gain,  as  time  went  on, 
From  nothing  but  itself,  from  out  itself. 
Thus  had  it  been,  as  from  the  hand  of  God, 
He  set  it  forward  on  its  course  complete, 
Equipped  and  perfect  by  appointed  plan, 
Endowed  with  life  and  peopled  o'er  with  life. 
Nothing  but  man  had  disobeyed  God's  word, 
Tho'  through  the  ages  some  had  changed  their  form. 
But  man's  indomitable  energy 
Nourished  by  hope,  and  seeing  life  again 
Assume  somewhat  its  former  character, 
Began  anew  to  build  for  permanence; 


28 


Brotherhood 


Building  at  first  rude  huts  of  mud  and  clay 
And  later,  houses  of  a  nobler  sort, 
Until  at  length,  about  their  fated  plain, 
Fair  Babylon,  a  city  great  took  form. 
Nor  were  the  other  wanderers  of  the  earth, 
In  course  of  time,  less  skilful  or  alert. 
Mnevah,  Ur,  and  Egypt's  fertile  plains, 
Kaised  cities  from  the  toil  and  skill  of  those, 
Who,  in  these  places,  stayed  their  wanderings. 
While  subtle  priests  devised  for  craving  hearts, 
A  multitude  of  suppositions  gods. 


by  the  Mle,  which  brought  to  Egypt's  plain 
The  rich  deposit,  that,  to  them  who  dwelt 
Along  its  banks,  gave  wealth  and  food,  there  rose 
The  beauteous  Thebes.     Statues  and  buildings  fair, 
Grand  ways  and  stately  temples,  gardens  broad, 
Were  wrought  out  in  one  vast  impressive  whole. 
Proud  of  its  beauty,  there  were  gathered  here 
Sages  and  scholars,  craftsmen,  soldiers,  priests, 
To  whom  the  king,  his  valor  to  proclaim, 
Had  published  his  intent  to  hold  a  feast 
Of  all  most  bountiful,  of  such  extent 
The  world  should  wonder  at  his  wealth  and  state. 
The  time  brought  with  it,  from  afar  and  near, 


29 


From  Babel  to 


A  multitude  to  praise  him.     All  who  would, 

Were  welcome  here  to  view  his  awful  power 

And  to  partake  his  hospitality. 

Among  the  groups  that  dined,  or  sat  at  ease, 

Sipping  their  wine,  and  offering  their  praise, 

The  king  walked  unattended  in  his  pride, 

To  listen  to  that  sound,  than  none  more  sweet, 

Which  told  his  virtues  or  his  valor  sung. 

This  grateful  homage  soon  began  to  cloy 

As  with  excessive  flattery,  he  felt 

A  loathing  for  the  well-fed  sycophant. 

His  wandering  led  him  finally  apart, 

And  by  a  tree  he  sat  him  down  to  rest. 

Unnoticed,  at  the  first,  he  caught  the  sound 

Of  nearby  voices  holding  discourse  grave. 

He  wondered  if  they  talked  of  him — and  if, 

Not  knowing  he  were  near,  what  they  would  say. 

Closer  he  drew,  but  kept  himself  concealed, 

And  quick  he  recognized  the  speaker's  voice, 

As  that  of  Haran,  chief  among  his  priests. 

"How  say  you  that  our  king  is  not  a  god? 

Does  he  not  triumph  over  all  mankind, 

And  wring  unwilling  fealty  from  his  foes?" 

"  ?Tis  not  alone  his  prowess"  answered  one 

30 


Brotherhood 


The  king  well  knew  for  Menlik  chief  of  seers, 

"His  deeds  are  great,  as  worthy  Haran  says, 

And  valor  flows  from  him  as  flows  the  Nile, 

But  back  of  that,  and  stimulating  all, 

Are  visions  that  come  not  to  other  men. 

Is  he  not  greater  than  ourselves,  or  you 

Who  scorn  his  wisdom,  while  you  eat  his  food?" 

The  answer,  made  in  measured  tones,  revealed 

A  stranger's  voice :     "My  learned  friends,  give  ear, 

I  honor  your  beloved  king,  and  now 

Confess  myself  astonished  at  his  power. 

Far  from  the  East  I  came  your  place  to  see, 

Which  much  surpasses  in  its  elegance 

All  stories  that  have  traveled  o'er  the  earth. 

Here  I  find  wondrous  carvings,  temples  great, 

And  wealth  untold.     As  in  my  country,  too, 

I  find  that  you,  give  homage  to  your  gods. 

Amen  and  Ba,  Osiris,  Isis,  Set 

With  you  are  worshipped.    Other  gods  have  we 

Whose  attributes  and  power,  we  deem  most  high. 

Let  us  not  quarrel  over  differences 

Where  faith  gives  comfort  and  our  worship  peace. 

My  argument  denies  that  men  are  gods." 

Thus  spoke  the  stranger  and  with  quiet  reply 


From  Babel  to 


The  wiley  Menlik  said :    "Why  if  the  fish, 

The  cat,  the  moon  or  sun  can  typify 

Spirits  to  our  pure  minds,  then  why  not  kings? 

May  there  not  dwell  in  certain  living  things 

Some  god  who  thus  selects  them  for  his  use, 

And  place  of  choice  abode?    What  higher  place 

Than  that  where  now  reposes  sovereignty?" 

"Hear  me  with  patience,"  spoke  the  stranger's  voice, 

"Nor  seek  unfairly  to  construe  my  words. 

Whether  your  gods  exist,  save  in  your  thoughts, 

Or  dwell  in  animals,  supposed  or  real, 

I  do  not  know.    But  everywhere  I've  gone 

Among  mankind,  one  thing  I  ever  find, — 

That  man  by  impulse  does  a  god  require, 

Some  being  high  and  greater  than  himself. 

Why  gods  should  choose  to  take  the  form  of  cats, 

Or  bulls,  or  should  devise  some  hideous  shape, 

Performing  deeds  revolting,  foul  and  base, 

I  know  nor  care  not.    Here  your  women  live 

In  honor,  love  and  happy  chastity. 

Your  men  are  strong,  intelligent  and  clean, 

And  in  the  breast  of  each,  there  is  a  cry 

For  some  great  spirit  greater  than  himself. 

Impulse  demands  a  god  more  strong,  more  wise 


Brotherhood 


Than  we  ourselves,  spirits  both  good  and  bad 
That  help  or  mar  the  labors  of  mankind." 
The  stranger  stopped  as,  fingers  laid  on  lips, 
The  priest  and  seer  arose,  both  bowing  low, 
Facing  the  king  who  walked  up  to  the  group. 

"Resume  your  seats,  my  friends,  and  now  forget 

Our  difference  in  rank  while  I  discourse. 

Your  words  refreshed  my  mind  as  all  unknown, 

I  listened  to  your  frank  discourse  of  kings. 

Sternly  surrounded  by  a  mighty  state, 

Authority  and  power  within  my  hand, 

The  duties  to  my  subjects  do  require 

A  god-like  judgment  and  decision  firm. 

How  often  these  same  attributes  conspire 

To  self-esteem  and  overweening  pride, 

You  may  not  know.     I  know  there  comes  at  times, 

A  sense  of  weakness  o'er  my  spirit,  such 

As  you  and  every  meanest  subject  feels. 

Thus  as  to  friends  and  equals,  I  confess 

Myself  to  you  as  merely  man,  nor  now, 

Nor  through  the  whole  remainder  of  my  life, 

Will  I  permit  myself  to  be  esteemed 

Or  worshipped  as  a  god."     The  king  arose, 

Each  rev'renced  low  and  went  his  several  way, 


33 


From  Babel  to 


And  for  a  time,  worship  of  kings  did  cease. 

O  EMOTER  Africa  strange  cities  held 

'Till  wasting  fevers,  helped  by  cruel  wars, 
Destroyed  those  who  possessed  the  hope  and  skill, 
And  races  perished  as  their  cities  fell. 
Eastward,  great  hosts  had  traveled  on  for  years, 
Nor  stopped  to  rest,  or  build  a  lasting  home, 
Except,  from  time  to  time,  a  following  few 
Finding  none  following  them,  withdrew 
Not  for  the  purpose  of  repose,  but  hate 
And  the  underlying  wish  themselves  to  separate 
And  keep  apart  from  others  of  mankind. 
These  built,  as  time  went  on  and  they  increased 
Their  tribal  numbers  undisturbed.    The  rest 
Kept  on  and  on.    Thus  by  such  slow  degrees 
Came  they  by  tedious  routes  and  hardships  great 
To  spread  abroad.    Some  in  Arabia  stayed 
Some  stayed  in  India  while  still  more  went  on 
Peopling  the  Southern  islands  and  the  North. 
China  its  quota  held — Japan,  Ceylon 
And  even  cold  Siberia  kept  a  few, 
Tho'  many  of  the  host  that  went  that  way 
Held  on  and  crossed  the  narrow  straits  to  land 
Unknown  before  to  any  race  of  man. 


34 


Brotherhood 


These  by  the  pressure  of  their  hate  kept  up 

The  pilgrimage  till  over  all  the  world 

In  separate  places  and  in  different  zones 

New  tribes  arose  which,  tho'  from  parent  stock 

Derived  their  life,  their  manners  and  their  thoughts 

Became  by  long  environment  and  life 

Apart  from  each,  unlike  each  other  in 

Their  mode  of  life,  their  language  and  their  looks. 

Throughout  the  world  they  ranged  both  East  and  West 

Strangers  through  hatred.    As  the  molten  iron 

That  had  been  fused  into  a  monstrous  wheel 

Burst  suddenly  into  a  million  parts; 

So  had  mankind  by  their  Creator  been 

Formed  into  one  great  useful  race  to  fill 

The  Earth  and  peacefully  subdue  all  life. 

But  failing  Him  in  love,  their  rev'rence  lost, 

Becoming  lewd  and  then  defying  God, 

Had,  like  the  iron,  through  hatred  burst  apart 

Into  a  million  fragments  each  as  hard 

And  separated  almost  hopelessly. 

Strange  mem?ries  of  the  former  times  recurred 

As  tribes  and  races  grew  in  different  spots. 

Thus  in  Peru  as  well  as  India 

In  North  America  and  Africa 

Men  built  them  towers  and  mounds  or  homes  in  cliffs 


35 


From  Babel  to 


But  stranger  still  some  sentiment  endured, 

Tho'  crude  expressed,  that  showed  the  same  throughout; 

Where  e'er  they  went,  however  far  dispersed 

What  e'er  the  climate,  whether  sea  or  mount, 

Whether  in  nomad  bands  they  lived  alway 

Without  a  settled  home,  or  cities  built; 

Some  form  of  worship  was  adopted  which 

Tho'  false  and  ignorant  and  often  cruel, 

With  idols  representing  their  ideas 

Always  included  some  idea  of  God, 

Some  Spirit,  Power  or  Force  Divine  above 

Their  own  creation.    This  adhered  throughout; 

Never  forgot  they  their  offended  God. 

The  Earth  which  held  the  scattered  wreck  of  man 

Still  fair  remained  'neath  ravages  and  wars. 


passed  and  worked  its  great  Creator's  will 
Through  ages  with  obedient  certainty. 
Seasons  of  blossom  followed  winter's  rest 
Bank  with  increasing  verdure  undisturbed, 
Save  in  such  places  as  should  live  awhile, 
A  nation  with  enough  strength  to  prevail 
Against  its  enemies  until  at  last 
Internal  weakness  or  a  craftier  foe 
O'erthrew  their  cities  or  destroyed  their  fields. 

36 


Brotherhood 


God's  hand  was  not  withdrawn  from  men's  affairs 

Nor  were  their  sorrows  without  grief  to  Him. 

A  fearful  lesson  their  fierce  hatred  held 

That  must  be  learned  by  suffering  penalty. 

Little  the  change  through  all  the  ages  past 

That  marked  the  ever  disobedient  man; 

The  lustful  Adam  typified  the  race. 

No  sooner  left  in  peace,  their  wants  supplied, 

Themselves  surrounded  by  an  opulent  land 

Where  comforts  gave  surcease  to  hardest  toil, 

Than  riotous  luxury  took  the  place  of  war 

Reducing  strength  to  weakness,  till  once  more 

Vileness  like  that  before  the  Deluge  overcame 

The  strong.    A  nation  died.    A  savage  tribe 

Like  patient  vulture  waiting  for  its  prey 

Struck  at  the  carcass  till  it  gorged  itself 

On  stinking  flesh  made  doubly  sweet  because 

Their  erstwhile  hatred  savoured  the  repast. 

Thus  self -destructive  man  was  left  to  do 

His  will  upon  the  Earth  until  at  length 

The  Father  caused  the  lesson  of  his  faults 

To  be  administered  through  other  means. 

A  race  must  live  according  to  God's  law 

That  all  should  see  and  know  that  which  was  best. 

A  visible  example  should  be  set 


37 


From  Babel  to 


That  by  it  should  be  learned  the  will  of  God 
Which,  if  obeyed,  would  honor  Him  and  bless 
Those  that  should  follow  His  divine  command. 

GAIN  from  all  the  race  one  chosen  man, 
A    Abram,  was  called  apart  from  land  and  home. 
Out  from  a  city  with  his  wife  and  flocks 
To  open  country  separate  from  the  rest 
Where  was  revealed  the  purpose  of  his  call. 
His  nephew,  near  in  love,  lost  his  belief 
And  sought  a  city  where  voluptuous  sin 
Was  punished  by  consuming  fire  from  God. 
Abram  apart  was  learning  rapidly 
From  signs  like  these  and  from  the  voice  of  God. 
The  years  passed  on.    A  son  was  born  to  him 
And  this  beloved  child  was  made  the  test 
Of  his  true  faith  which  stood  the  dread  ordeal. 
Three  generations  passed.     The  incipient  race 
Kept  true  their  faith  in  God  until  the  fourth, 
W^hen  hatred  in  them  burned  a  brother's  love. 
Still  out  of  this  was  made  the  means  to  help 
The  great  Design.    The  hated  brother  kept 
True  to  his  faith  and  pure  amidst  the  foul, 
Lewd  people  that  attempted  his  downfall. 
Visions  and  their  interpretations  came 

38 


Brotherhood 


With  added  grace  to  make  complete  the  man. 
Through  him  the  family  came  again  to  love 
Him  and  each  other,  and  the  new  race  grew 
Unchanged  by  time,  by  habit  or  by  place, 
The  shepherds  reared  their  families  in  towns, 
The  sons  of  Abram  learned  with  ease  a  life 
Seductive  of  their  hope  to  found  a  race, 
Environed  first  with  easy  luxury 
They  fell  a  prey  to  ruinous  conquerors 
And  were  made  slaves  in  fact.    Here  as  before 
False  gods  were  raised  to  represent  man's  lust. 
Nothing  of  comfort,  enterprise  and  skill 
There  lacked  to  demonstrate  man's  power  of  mind; 
Beauty  and  power  walked  hand  in  hand  with  sin 
Showing  the  creature's  weakness  in  his  strength. 
False  gods  indeed !  that  gave,  but  giving,  cursed 
With  gifts  that  lacked  the  spiritual  truth, 
The  body  perfect  with  an  empty  soul. 
Mysterious  providence  intervened  again 
And  from  the  Hebrew  slaves  brought  forth  a  man 
Kaised  high  in  Egypt's  power,  learned  and  wise, 
Moses,  the  Friend  of  God,  the  god-like  man. 
Him  God  addressed  beside  the  burning  bush. 
He  heard  the  Voice,  but  Egypt's  king  would  not; 
Nor  budding  rod,  nor  oft  repeated  pest 


39 


From  Babel  to 


Warned  him  to  part  with  profitable  slaves, 
Until  led  forth  across  the  parted  wave 
The  waters  joined  above  the  following  host 
And  Abram's  race  a  separate  life  began. 
Years  in  instruction  from  mankind  apart 
Were  filled  with  disappointment  and  despair. 
The  slaves  were  slow  to  learn  the  perfect  laws 
But  rather  would  return  to  fleshly  ease. 
The  promised  land,  their  leader's  shining  face, 
The  daily  manna  nor  the  following  stream 
Caused  them  to  apprehend  their  part  with  God. 
The  weary  leader  viewed  from  Pisgah's  top 
The  nation's  home,  while  onward  passed  from  sight 
The  generation  slave-born,  and  their  sons 
Born  in  a  new  life,  their  new  life  to  lead. 
This  people  now  their  nation's  life  began, 
Equipped  with  perfect  laws,  perfect  in  health 
Through  forced  obedience  over  forty  years. 
Learning  their  lesson  slowly  but  more  sure 
While  all  unconsciously  through  honest  toil 
And  necessary  abstinence  they  lost 
The  slave's  lascivious  weakness,  and  were  men. 
Men  in  their  bodies,  clean  again  and  pure, 
Untrained  in  mind,  reliant  still  and  slaves, 
They  faced  the  unknown  future  with  weak  heart 


40 


Brotherhood 


Almost  afraid  to  follow  Joshua's  lead 
Or  fit  to  form  a  part  of  Gideon's  band. 
Slowly  they  pressed  the  people  of  the  land 
Back  from  the  borders.     Yet  afraid  they  went, 
Scarcely  encouraged  by  a  city's  fall 
Through  sound  of  trumpet;  or  by  halting  sun. 
The  tabernacle's  power,  the  priest's  array 
The  Presence  manifest  in  all  their  deeds 
But  slowly  brought  encouragement  of  mind 
Or  self-reliance  through  their  faith  in  God. 
Their  self-reliance  came  to  them  at  last; 
Their  kingdom  under  David  seemed  complete, 
While  that  of  David's  son  dazzled  the  World, 
And  Solomon  excelled  as  Jewry's  king. 
Strictly  their  laws  of  health  they  always  kept 
With  what  results  throughout  all  time  appear. 
Strictly  with  superstitious  zeal  they  kept 
The  letter  of  the  law  as  though  to  fail 
In  some  particular  observance  would 
Not  dishonor  God,  but  bring  them  harm. 
Riches  and  power  and  self-reliance  came; 
The  slaves  were  masters  now,  afraid  of  none. 
God's  chosen  people  for  a  chosen  work 
To  show  His  perfect  law  exemplified; 
To  keep  His  word  that  all  mankind  should  see 


From  Babel  to 


The  benefit  to  such  as  honor  Him. 

Thus  was  brought  forth  for  all  the  World  to  see 

A  mighty  nation  from  a  single  seed. 

On  its  behalf  amazing  things  were  done 

That  all  the  Earth  should  wonder  at  their  God. 

Their  prophets  spoke  and  quick  fulfilment  came 

Naught  could  withstand  them  when  their  Ark  led  on, 

While  proofs  unnumbered  showed  the  Mighty  Arm 

Keady  to  help  them  if  they  but  kept  faith. 

Should  not  such  evidence  their  foes  convert 

From  Baal  and  false  gods  to  the  true  faith? 

How  could  it  be  expected  when  the  race, 

Chosen  and  led  and  brought  to  high  estate, 

Themselves  grown  arrogant  from  wealth  and  power, 

Retained  the  forms  but  lost  the  saving  truth? 

Lustful  and  proud  and  over-confident, 

Ignoring  warnings  from  prophetic  lips, 

The  Hebrew  race  increased  but  not  in  power. 

To  them  had  been  committed  sacred  things 

To  be  hereafter  offered  to  mankind. 

Conservators  of  sacred  mysteries 

To  them  revealed  for  universal  use 

Whereby  thoughtful  men  amazed  to  see 

Their  mighty  prowess  should  enquire  its  cause, 

And,  learning,  seek  themselves  to  know  the  truth. 


42 


Brotherhood 


No  other  nation  ever  had  received 

The  help  that  to  the  Hebrews  had  been  given. 

Instruction  in  the  mysteries  of  life 

Accompanied  by  convincing  proof  from  Heaven 

Revealed  God's  purpose.     He  who  ruled  the  Sun, 

Who  checked  the  river's  flow,  He  spoke  to  them; 

Called  them  His  children  and  explained  His  law. 

Told  them  from  whence  they  came,  their  mission  here 

Unfolded  the  unseen,  and  raised  the  dark, 

Impenetrable  veil  where  ends  this  life, 

Revealing  everlasting  joy  beyond, 

That  hope  should  stimulate  their  faith  and  trust. 

Promises  rich  in  blessing  they  received 

Conditioned  only  on  their  faithful  care 

Of  sacred  truth,  conformance  to  His  law 

And  tender  love  and  duty  to  their  God. 

But  slight  return  from  those  who  could  give  naught 

To  God  from  whom  came  every  gift  in  life. 

Was  the  condition  hard?    The  parent  then 

Found  as  before  that  as  the  child  increased 

The  infant  gratitude  and  filial  love 

Gave  place  to  selfish  chafings  at  restraint. 

As  wealth  and  power  increased,  unhealthy  thoughts 

Lascivious  pleasures  and  increasing  sins 

Effaced  their  virtue  and  offended  God. 


43 


From  Babel  to 


Unto  the  Jew  a  promise  had  been  given 

That  through  his  race  all  mankind  should  be  blessed. 

A  King  was  promised  who  should  rule  the  earth, 

A  Saviour,  Christ,  the  Lord,  the  Son  of  God. 

They  looked  for  Him  but  never  understood. 

Selfish  and  proud  they  failed  to  apprehend 

Aught  save  the  gratification  of  their  pride. 

Unfaithful  to  their  trust,  conceited,  vain, 

Awaiting  Christ  to  punish  enemies, 

Thinking  His  power  their  recourse  for  increase. 

The  power  was  Love — and  thus  the  Holy  King 

Regarded  equally  all  who  chose  to  come 

To  Him  as  to  a  Saviour,  not  a  King. 

The  Jew  was  honored  but  mistook  his  place; 

He  had  committed  unto  him  the  charge 

Of  God's  most  holy  word;  and  from  his  race 

The  Saviour  was  to  come.    Not  of  the  Jew 

Were  these  gifts  separately  to  be  availed, 

But  through  him  for  the  use  of  all  mankind. 

Self-blinded  egotists  they  argued  long 

Who  should  possess  exalted  preference 

When  the  new  kingdom  came  and  when  they  could 

Look  fondly  down  in  scorn  at  gentile  fear. 

What  wonder  when  the  promise  was  fulfilled 

They  caused  the  Lord  of  Love  be  crucified? 


44 


Brotherhood 


The  chosen  people  self-sufficient  now, 
Like  all  mankind  that  had  preceded  them, 
Chose  their  own  way  to  gratify  their  lusts 
Instead  of  keeping  pact.     They  listened  not 
To  warnings  of  the  present  or  the  past. 
Heedless  alike  of  promised  good  or  ill 
As  they  obeyed  or  disobeyed  their  God 
Their  fall  inevitably  followed  fast. 

IT\ISPERSED  and  captive  wrhere  they  late  had  ruled 

The  Jews  then  realized  their  great  mistake, 
And  sought  return  to  Palestine  again. 
This  they  might  do  but  never  rule  the  land. 
New  nations  grew  and  flourished  for  a  time 
With  wealth  and  power  but  soulless  and  impure. 
Virile  while  poor  they  overcame  with  force 
Kepeating  always  what  transpired  before: 
Strength,  conquest,  riches  and  a  conquering  lust 
For  weakening  pleasure  till  their  end  should  come. 
If  men  were  children,  ignorant,  untaught 
Such  constant  failure  might  seem  justified. 
But  hatred  still  impelled  a  course  for  each 
That  separated  nations,  as  before 
It  separated  individual  men. 


45 


From  Babel  to 


I>  OUGHLY  the  almost  savage  of  the  North 

Pressed  by  the  cold,  unfavored  by  the  soil 
Worked  out  a  living  with  uncultured  toil. 
Koughly  he  lived  and  toiled  and  roughly  too 
He  fought  his  neighbors  and  the  savage  beasts. 
Like  others  of  the  race,  his  chosen  land 
Had  held  him  for  some  reason  in  the  North. 
Instead  of  seeking  ease  he  chose  a  life 
Eequiring  labor  for  his  heat  and  food. 
Bruitish  and  fierce,  the  fair  and  lusty  tribes 
Developed  strength,  and  of  necessity 
Became  imbued  with  thrifty  principles. 
Neglectful  of  the  finer  arts  of  life 
And  warring  constantly  like  bear  and  wolf 
Their  only  virtue  was  their  love  of  home. 
They  built  no  cities  worthy  of  the  name 
But  increased  mid  their  wild  environment 
Till  Northern  Europe  to  Atlantic's  shores 
Held  hardy  tribes  who  fought,  and  worked,  and  grew. 
Meanwhile  great  nations  in  the  milder  South 
Came  into  the  inheritance  of  time. 
The  Medes  and  Persians  conquered  Babylon, 
Egypt  was  stripped  of  power  by  nomad  tribes. 
Greece  came  to  life  and  with  her  birth 
Commenced  to  grow  the  intellectual. 

46 


Brotherhood 

Fierce  from  the  mountains  and  her  wave-washed  shores 

Possessed  of  stern  endurance  and  with  minds 

Opposed  to  luxury  by  reasoning  sound 

They  practiced  stoical  endurance  in 

All  their  relations.     Body  thus  and  mind 

Became  the  inspiration  of  the  race. 

They  knew  not  God,  but  sought  a  god  to  know 

As  necessary  to  the  logic  of  their  life. 

Their  gods  were  multiplied  to  meet  each  thought 

Kelating  to  their  various  affairs. 

The  sun  was  deified,  the  planets  too, 

The  ocean  had  its  god,  and  every  brook 

And  wood  was  peopled  by  a  nymph,  or  Pan, 

Or  satyr, — gross  or  fair — as  fitted  its 

Relation  to  their  hazards  and  life's  scenes. 

Wiser  than  any  that  preceded  them 

These  earnest  students  took  the  better  course 

For  finding  happiness  among  themselves. 

Rewards  of  honor  pleased  them  more  than  gold, 

Fame  earned  by  eager  labor  was  not  sold. 

Her  men  were  warlike,  brave,  innured  to  toil, 

Not  shunning  labor  but  despising  sloth. 

Great  in  the  arts,  in  language  marvelous 

They  conquered  for  all  time  the  sons  of  men 

By  wonders  thus  accomplished,  though  by  arms 

47 


From  Babel  to 


Their  prowess  failed  before  the  strength  of  Kome. 

TJ  IGH  over  Athens  rolled  the  golden  car 

Of  glorious  Phoebus  who,  on  all  beneath 
At  high  medidian  cast  his  ardent  darts 
Across  the  shore  and  wave.     The  sleeping  sea 
Old  Neptune  lulled,  nor  rocked  the  fleet 
Of  white  winged  vessels  that  its  surface  bore. 
The  mountains  shimmered  with  a  vaporous  blue 
While  only  torrents,  flowing  down  their  sides 
Into  the  wooded  valleys,  spoke  of  life 
Or  waking  nymphs.    A  rosy  band  of  these 
Brought  to  a  noble  grove  their  sweet  incense, 
Which  cool  and  fresh,  a  shim'ring  pool  received 
And  held  awhile.    A  marble  Pan  near  by 
Looked  on  complacent  at  his  merry  friends, 
Forgetting  for  the  time  those  awful  deeds 
That  killed  with  terror  and  consumed  with  fear. 
Beside  the  brook  that  softly  purred  beneath 
Umbrageous  trees  and  near  the  reedy  pool, 
Two  men  reclined  at  ease  and  held  converse. 
nThe  time  has  come,'  said  one,  "when  at  this  spot 
Our  comrades  should  with  us  unite,  and  tell 
According  to  our  well-considered  plans, 
The  stories  of  their  search  for  Truth.     But  hark! 


48 


Brotherhood 
Here  comes  Megasthenes  with  Xenephon." 

"Welcome,  my  friends,"  said  he  who  first  had  spoke, 
"Your  well-timed  coming  equals  Phoebus'  own 
Who  daily  and  each  year  performs  his  task 
Unbroken  by  divergence  from  routine." 
"Withhold  thy  praise,  good  Nestor,  for  a  cause 
More  worthy  than  our  keeping  word  with  thee 
And  pius  Archon.     For  if  Xenephon 
And  I  are  faithful  so  are  you.     Therefore 
You  praise  yourselves  or  think  us  less  than  you." 
"Befrain,  refrain  dear  friends,  from  this  debate 
Until  at  leisure  we  shall  each  unfold 
The  weightier  matters  of  our  conference. 
Then  for  amusement  or  our  mutual  good, 
We  may  with  sophistry,  or  logic  play, 
Sharpening  the  weapons  of  our  intellect." 
Thus  answered  Xenephon  and  all  approved. 

Archon,  the  eldest,  then  with  brief  address 
Arranged  the  order  of  their  dialogue. 
"First  let  us  briefly  but  with  rev'rent  minds 
Thank  mighty  Jove  for  his  untiring  care." 
Each  felt  the  just  reproof,  and  each  one  bowed 
Facing  the  holy  mount  on  which  reposed 

49 


From  Babel  to 


According  to  their  thought,  this  deity. 
Kestored  to  tranquil  mind  all  then  arose 
While  Archon  called  on  Nestor  to  proceed. 

"Ten  times  the  snows  of  winter  from  the  North 
Have  melted  with  the  breath  of •  tripping  Spring; 
Ten  times  Appollo  from  his  highest  seat, 
Has  now  again  with  us  appointment  kept, 
Since  by  our  plan  we  severed  here  to  meet 
And  here  recount  our  search  o'er  all  the  earth 
For  Truth.     Each  went  a  different  way.     I  went 
By  lot  assigned  to  China.     Long  the  way, 
Unspeakable  the  hardships  I  endured 
Going  and  coming.     These  adventures  may 
However  be  detailed  some  other  time. 
Suffice,  that  finally  I  reached  the  land. 
Strange  were  the  habits,  stranger  still  the  speech 
Tho'  both  of  them  by  daily  use  I  learned 
By  slow  degrees  to  conquer.     This  at  first, 
Delayed  my  progress  but  was  well  repaid 
For  in  my  studies,  mixed  I  with  the  poor, 
The  rich,  the  noble  everywhere.     The  cities 
Thronged  with  tradesmen,  gave  no  better  aid 
Than  men  on  farms,  or  boats  that  side  by  side, 
Sluggishly  drifted  on  the  yellow  tide. 


Brotherhood 


Strange  people  these.     Honest,  kind  and  quick, 

But  lacking  somehow  in  that  upward  look 

Which  an  aspiring  intellect  reveals. 

By  patient  enquiry  and  deep  research 

I  ascertained  that  in  their  niinds  one  thought 

Held  greatest  prominence.     Virtue  they  have 

Nor  will  they  tolerate  the  false  nor  weak, 

Which  of  themselves  would  not  alone  suffice 

To  satisfy  the  mind.     Another  cause 

I  sought.     Why  do  they  not  progress?    And  why 

Tho'  pure,  industrious  and  good  as  we, 

Have  they  not  nearer  reached  our  country's  fame? 

One  .answer  only  can  I  find  for  this. 

Their  chiefest  thought  is  in  the  buried  past, 

In  old  traditions  and  ancestral  law. 

These  fill  their  minds  and  satisfy  their  hope. 

As  if  a  man  with  twisted  neck  should  walk 

Seeing  behind,  not  looking  on  ahead, 

His  pace  is  slow,  uncertain,  full  of  chance." 

The  traveler  concluded  thus  his  tale. 

"Your  words  are  few,  dear  Nestor,  but  your  thought 
Is  clear  as  crystal.     Possibly  I  may 
Better  succeed  while  fresh  in  mind  I  hold 
Your  lucid  style."     Megasthenes  thus  spoke. 


From  Babel  to 


His  comrades  urged  him  on.     "We  have  no  thought 
Of  self,"  said  aged  Archon,  "nor  esteem 
Aught  but  our  mission  of  great  consequence." 
Encouraged  thus  Megasthenes  went  on 
With  quaint  descriptions  of  his  awful  toil 
In  reaching  India.     There  had  the  lot 
Determined  his  remote  and  toilsome  work. 

"It  seems  almost  incredible,"  he  said, 

"That  men  should  live  like  these.     Hungry  and  poor 

Beyond  description.     Having  but  a  rag 

To  cover  a  starved  body.     Some  are  rich, 

But  these  have  naught  in  common  with  the  rest. 

Caste  rules  their  actions,  chokes  their  enterprise, 

Nor  is  the  flinty  rock  less  yielding  to  the  wave 

Than  this  destructive,  artificial  line. 

One  man  I  met  who  sought  to  stimulate 

The  energies  of  torpid  minds.     Buddha, 

A  noble  man,  philosopher  and  sage." 

"Permit,  Megasthenes,  one  question  here," 

Said  Archon,  "that  your  loving  friends  would  ask 

Were  they,  like  I,  ready  to  brave  your  wit. 

The  naked  land  like  China  feeds  a  race 

More  numerous  than  ours.     What  is  this  'caste' 

And  whence  its  awful  power?"     Megasthenes 


Brotherhood 


Made  courteous  reply:     "Keligion's  laws 

Have  taught  but  one  decree  in  India. 

Society  divided  into  parts 

Makes  separate  each  order  from  the  rest. 

First  come  the  priests,  next  soldiers,  then  those  men 

That  live  by  trade  and  deal  in  merchandise. 

Below  them  in  their  order,  is  the  slave, 

Whose  very  shadow  cast  upon  the  food 

Of  one  of  higher  caste,  pollutes  the  dish. 

Nothing  in  common  have  they,  but  as  birds 

Ordained  by  nature  keep  apart,  the  dove, 

The  eagle,  chicken  and  the  thieving  crow, 

Each  feels  repulsion  for  the  other.     So 

In  this  enormous  aggregate  there  dwells 

No  thought  outside  their  own  degree  and  kind. 

The  mind  is  starved — ambition  is  not  known." 

"How  strangely  like,  but  from  a  different  cause 
Are  they  and  those  that  I  have  visited," 
Said  Nestor.     "Each  has  grown  to  fearful  bulk, 
Each  as  a  child  by  fear  and  dread  constrained, 
One  remains  timid  and  the  other  chained." 
"Now  Xenephon,  our  critic,  'tis  your  turn 
To  unroll  the  covering  of  grimy  soil 
And  show  us  there  revealed,  the  tender  shoot 


53 


From  Babel  to 


Of  Hebrew  lore."     Thus  urged  by  Archon,  he 
Who  was  required,  replied  with  fervent  speech: 

"Well  say  you  'grimy  soil'  and  more  beside, 

Yet  fascinating  too.     Something  they  have 

I  cannot  well  explain,  that  differs  from 

All  that  I've  heard,  or  seen  here  or  abroad. 

Their  race  in  Babylon  is  captive  now 

And  studying  them  is  difficult  and  slow. 

At  first  I  sought  their  history  to  know 

And  in  that  quest  included  nations,  which 

By  near  association,  helped  me  to 

Best  estimate  and  equally  appraise 

Fable  and  truth.     All  ancient  records  show 

From  parched  Arabia,  through  Egypt  to 

Euphrates'  plains,  some  record  of  this  race. 

One  God  alone  they  worship  and  no  form 

This  Spirit  takes.     No  groves  nor  statues  stand 

To  represent  his  likeness  or  abode. 

Their  race  from  wand'ring  shepherds  raised,  became 

Great  and  exalted — then  alas,  they  fell. 

But  full  of  faith,  tho'  scattered  far  from  home, 

They  keep  their  faith.     Their  laws  are  wonderful. 

Strangest  of  all,  their  hope  for  one  they  call 

A  Christ  whom  all  the  world,  they  say,  will  come 


54 


Brotherhood 


To  worship  as  its  King."     "How  mean  you,  friend," 

Said  Nestor,  "that  their  laws  provoke  your  praise 

Above  all  others?    Have  we  not  devised 

A  system  perfect  and  in  form  sublime?" 

"Our  laws  are  just,  no  doubt,"  the  other  said, 

"But  theirs  contain,  besides  most  wise  decrees, 

An  inspiration  that  imparts  ideas 

Of  more  than  satisfaction  to  the  mind 

And  stimulates  one's  duty  with  a  hope 

Dynamic  in  its  power.     The  race  itself, 

Tho'  mixed  with  other  nations,  still  retains 

Its  separate  worship  and  its  high  ideals. 

The  Jew  can  dwell  in  Mnevah  or  Tyre, 

In  Greece  or  Babylon  for  centuries, 

It  makes  no  difference — he  is  still  a  Jew." 

"From  myths  and  legends  you  have  sifted  well 
The  kernel  truth  that  underlies  the  whole 
Design  and  fabric  of  each  racial  creed," 
Commented  Archon,  sage  and  well-endowed 
With  critic  skill.     "Your  nice  distinctions  show 
With  sweeping  glance  the  one  important  thing 
In  each  contained.    Well  may  I  do,  if  with 
No  greater  speech,  our  own  beliefs  I  bring 
By  nice  discrimination  into  light." 


55 


From  Babel  to 


"Pray  you  proceed,  dear  Archon,"  Nestor  said, 
"With  your  comparisons  in  simple  terms." 

"As  simple  as  I  may  and  briefly  too," 

Replied  the  seer.     "My  earnest  thought  has  been 

To  seek  all  motives — every  moving  cause 

That  flows  from  inspiration,  or  grows  out 

Of  custom.     First,  I  find  impulses  form 

Demands  for  something,  answering  the  thought. 

The  sun,  the  earth,  ourselves  proclaim  a  god, 

A  moving  cause  or  energy  more  great 

Than  human  power.     We  deify  the  thought 

Call  the  creator  'god.'     Impulses  too 

For  love,  for  action,  sensual  or  pure, 

Require  more  gods  for  every  demand 

Or  to  one  god  the  added  attributes. 

Evil  and  good  exist, — virtue  alone 

Is  not  sufficient  for  development. 

Our  'stoic'  school  falls  short  in  this,  as  do 

The  less  illumined  races  of  the  East." 

"What  think  you  then,"  Megasthenes  replied, 
"Of  that  the  Hebrews  teach?" 

"I  cannot  tell," 
56 


Brotherhood 


Said  Archon.     "Possibilities  exist 

In  their  idea  of  god  and  in  their  scheme 

Of  doctrine  so  distinct,  clear-cut  and  high, 

Which  separates  their  school  and  seems  beyond 

All  others,  that  I  fain  would  ponder  o'er 

Their  writings  with  the  hope  to  learn  the  source." 

"1FAIR  Venus  warns  us  that  we  'trench  upon 

Her  hour.     The  angry  goddess  will  not  hold 
Us  guiltless  if  in  her  despite  we  long 
Consider  other  claims  than  hers.     The  day 
Has  faded  while  we  talked  and  twilight  now 
In  sable  robes  has  wrapped  the  earth.     Again 
May  we  assemble  many  times  to  turn 
The  crystal  Truth  and  catch  the  gleam  therein." 

Admonished  thus  by  Xenephon,  retired 
These  wise  men  to  their  several  abodes. 
Often  again  they  met  and  Greece's  past 
Was  made  more  glorious  by  their  sacrifice. 
Little  men  know  of  other  men  or  tribes 
Kemotely  dwelling  from  their  place  apart, 
Nor  often  sought  they  for  close  intercourse. 
Strangers  were  suspected,  foreign  tribes 
Were  enemies — while  other  nations  were 


57 


From  Babel  to 


Antagonists  to  conquer,  or  who  would, 

Finding  them  weaker,  conquer  them  in  turn. 

A  constant  warfare  waged  throughout  the  world, 

Intolerant  of  peace,  destructive,  fierce, 

Like  untamed  beasts  devouring  in  their  strength, 

Were  smitten  by  a  stronger  in  their  turn. 

Not  learning  from  examples,  worse  than  beasts, 

Endowed  with  minds  pregnant  with  mighty  thoughts, 

The  race  of  man  debauched  by  conquered  wealth 

Allied  itself  to  sin  instead  of  good, 

While  hateful  acts  induced  its  own  downfall. 

Kome,  mightiest  of  nations,  in  her  time 

Kose,  conquered,  dominated,  fell. 

On  larger  scale,  with  more  intelligence, 

Longer  possessed  of  power,  lawmaker,  she 

Met  the  inevitable  end  of  all  who  live 

By  force  of  sword  and  arm  and  burly  strength. 

The  conquests  of  this  nation  carried  far, 

Brought  knowledge  of  the  northern  tribes  to  Eome 

Where  shown  in  public  fetes,  their  manly  forms 

Caused  wonder  as  blue-eyed  and  fair  of  face 

They  seemed  as  dwellers  in  another  world. 

Not  once  nor  twice  the  Eoman  legions  strove 

Against  the  fair  barbarians  of  the  north, 

Till  through  defeat,  they  learned  to  hold  their  own; 

58 


Brotherhood 


The  well-instructed  slave  his  master  beat 

And  from  his  conquerer  learned  himself  to  rule. 

The  separate  tribes,  dwelling  apart  till  then, 

Had  of  necessity  made  common  cause 

Against  their  common  foe,  and  thus  learned  too 

The  power  of  friendly  intercourse  and  help; 

Not  ready  yet  for  cultivated  life, 

But  fecund,  lusty,  strong,  a  virgin  soil 

Waiting  the  plowman  and  the  fruitful  seed. 

lp  LSEWHERE  abroad  great  tribes  to  nations  grew, 

But  in  their  lives  of  indolence  and  ease 
Failed  to  fulfil  the  duties  of  mankind. 
Creeping  with  lazy  pace  they  tilled  their  fields 
Or  lived  on  swampy  growths  at  less  expense 
Of  thought  or  toil.     So  unmolested  by 
Another  race,  their  race  was  not  destroyed. 
They  suffered  small  occasion  for  alarm 
With  poverty  to  guard  them  from  man's  lust. 
Narrow  in  life  and  mean  in  sentiment, 
Such  of  them  as  had  glimmerings  of  light 
Spoke  for  instruction,  but  th'  illumined  words 
Fell  on  such  sterile  ground  that  naught  but  words, 
Unmeaning  forms  and  hazy  thoughts  remained. 
With  famished  minds  and  bodies  poorly  fed 


59 


From  Babel  to 


Lethargic  nations,  enervated  hosts, 

By  climate  and  environment  unmanned, 

Their  races  gained  in  numbers,  not  in  MEN. 

The  past  was  worshipped  to  the  future's  harm, 

Sickly  stagnation  bred  enfeebled  hosts. 

Eurasia  thus  and  Northern  Africa 

Held  the  known  peoples  of  the  world; 

Nomadic  tribes  and  northern  savages 

Always  at  war  and  strong  in  savage  might. 

The  cultured  nations  had  by  slow  increase 

Conquered  the  arts  by  persevering  pains. 

The  time  was  ripe  for  planting  the  new  seed 

Which  God  reserved  from  earliest  time  till  now. 

The  earth,  through  conquering  Kome  and  Grecian  skill 

Was  better  known,  and  peoples  though  remote, 

Unfriendly,  cruel,  and  engaged  in  war 

Now  met  the  common  conqueror,  and  through  him 

To  some  extent  each  other  met  and  knew. 

The  Hebrew  soil  from  which  the  seed  should  spring 

Maintained  religion  as  by  God  ordained, 

But  lifeless  forms  failed  to  attract  mankind. 

The  time  had  come,  the  Son  of  God  was  born, 

Born  of  the  Jew,  each  prophecy  fulfilled; 

They  knew  him  not  as  Saviour  of  all  men, 

And  crucified  the  promised  King  of  Love. 

60 


Brotherhood 


Unfulfilled   dreams  and  disappointed  hopes 

The  world-wide  mission  raised  their  fiercest  hate; 

Jealous  of  others  sharing  in  their  good 

They  lost  through  error  the  Divine  reward. 

Christ  came  to  men  and  bore  the  precious  seed 

Sent  by  the  Father  for  His  children's  life. 

The  seed  was  planted  in  the  breasts  of  men 

Few  and  unknown,  despised  by  Greek  and  Jew, 

But  it  possessed  the  quality  of  life 

And  had  God's  promise  to  fill  all  the  earth. 

This  seed  was  Love, — man's  love  for  God  and  man. 

REVELATION  OF  LOVE 

HP  HE  plans  of  God  in  simple  majesty 

Arranged,  reveal  His  purposes,  in  that 
The  truth  is  simple  and  from  error  free. 
The  pride  of  life  and  lustful  appetite, 
The  cankering  weakness  of  a  nation  which, 
Failing  to  know  Him,  thought  with  shortened  gaze 
The  ultimate  was  pleasant  selfishness, 
Knew  not  the  truth  that  giving  makes  us  rich. 
Kichly  the  sons  of  men  had  gathered  from 
The  earth  all  things  that  made  for  opulent 
Increase.     Wisely  they  used  and  wiser  grew 
In  use  of  arts  material,  but  as 

61 


From  Babel  to 


At  their  dispersion,  wisdom  stopped  at  that. 
Their  little  world  was  thickly  sown  with  weeds 
Rank  with  a  heritage  of  hate,  which  choked 
The  thought  for  better  things — conquest  by  force 
Was  all  the  fruit  that  in  this  garden  grew 
When  first  was  planted  this  new  seed  of  Love. 
How  might  the  warring  nations  and  the  tribes 
Of  savage  warriors,  led  by  jealous  kings, 
Be  brought  through  Love  to  realize  that  all 
Mankind  were  brothers?     In  his  complex  mind 
Man  held  self-interest  as  the  spring  of  life. 
How  could  the  selfish  instinct  meet  with  Love 
And  love  endure  save  in  a  feeble  few, 
Who  counted  all  things  lost  if  they  lost  Christ? 
With  yearning  hearts  the  sad  disciples  saw 
The  risen  Christ  depart.     His  work  was  done 
But  theirs  was  just  commenced,  as  now  alone 
They  waited  for  a  sign.     How  would  they  know 
The  Holy  Spirit's  voice  that  should  reveal 
God's  presence  and  assurance  of  support? 
Their  mission  was  world-wide  among  all  men 
Of  every  sect,  nation,  language,  speech. 
Sadly  they  met  but  yet  without  despair, 
Full  of  abiding  faith  with  purpose  firm, 
Waiting  the  Comforter  their  promised  guide. 


62 


Brotherhood 


The  pentecostal  blessing  canie  at  last 

With  prophecy  and  hope  unknown  before, 

Filling  them  with  the  Spirit's  unctions  power 

That  gave  them  consciousness  of  strength 

Potential  for  the  accomplishment  of  work 

Surpassing  any  yet  required  of  man. 

The  Spirit  spoke,  and  all  there  understood, 

Yet  stranger  still  when  they  that  heard  gave  voice 

To  that  impelling  message,  all  that  heard 

Could  understand  as  though  the  words  were  spoke 

To  each  one  in  his  native  mother  tongue. 

Hp HE  pride  of  Kome — exalted  Emperor — 

Marcus  Aurelius  held  within  his  grasp 
The  government  and  destiny  it  seemed 
Of  all  the  world.     No  worthier  than  he 
Of  all  that  followed  or  that  went  before, 
Could  have  been  chosen  for  so  great  a  place. 
He  realized  the  ideals  of  a  king 
And  bore  his  burden  uncomplainingly. 
No  thought  of  self-aggrandisement  alloyed 
His  purity  of  purpose.    Not  the  least 
Of  his  high  attributes  was  constant  work. 
With  willing  heart  he  sacrificed  himself 
With  cares  of  state,  and  in  his  leisure  found 

63 


From  Babel  to 


Most  pleasure  in  the  research  after  Truth. 
Seeking  this  light  he  left  no  place  or  means 
Untried.    "Fail  not/'  he  said,  "to  let  me  know 
Of  anything  however  small  or  strange, 
Nor  fail  to  bring  me  word  of  any  new 
Philosophy  or  school." 

Toward  close  of  day, 
When  weary  from  official  toil  and  tired, 
One  came  to  him  with  word  that  an  appeal 
To  Caesar  had  been  made.     Some  Jew,  it  seems, 
Who  suffered  punishment  for  stirring  up 
A  fomentation  at  a  distant  part, 
Had  claimed  protection  as  a  Koman  born. 
"Where  is  he  now?"  the  Emperor  enquired. 
"Within  the  palace  prison,  sire,"  said  one. 
"Bring  him  to  me."     The  Emperor  was  tired 
And  heavy  lines  impressed  his  kindly  face. 
"What  seek  you  here?    Why  trouble  you  our  state?" 
Aurelius  asked  with  roughness  well  assumed. 
The  kneeling  man  arose.     With  modest  look 
But  unabashed  replied  with  accent  grave: 

"Despise  me  not,  great  Caesar,  nor  prejudge 
My  cause  from  those  that  do  accuse,  unheard 

64 


Brotherhood 

Tho'  born  a  Jew  and  zealous  for  that  faith, 

Like  Paul,  I  saw  a  light  that  changed  my  life. 

For  preaching  Jesus  as  the  Christ  I  now  endure 

The  hatred  of  the  Jews,  and  as  with  Paul 

A  century  ago,  am  now  accused 

Most  falsely  by  my  race,  of  crimes  against 

Our  glorious  country  and  against  yourself." 

His  grave  composure  pleased  the  Emperor. 

Here  was  a  chance  to  learn.     To  sift  from  one, 

A  willing  sacrifice  to  faith,  the  seed 

Of  thought  that  governed  and  inspired  a  sect. 

"You  are  a  'Christian'  then,"  Aurelius 

Demanded  of  his  visitor.     "Yes,  sire." 

"And  have  you  not,"  the  Emperor  went  on, 

"Of  fearful  punishment  both  heard  and  seen 

Enough  to  satisfy  your  appetite  for  more? 

Must  you,  a  man  of  sense,  invite  a  doom 

Of  worst  devised  torture,  for  your  faith?" 

The  Jew  looked  down — shuddered — then  raised  his  eyes. 

"Truly,  my  Emperor,  I  fear  the  mentioned  doom, 
And  would  by  every  means  avoid  the  pain 
But  for  a  greater  fear  that  makes  this  less. 
One  died  that  all  might  live,  and  if  I  die 
A  flaming  torch,  or  as  a  feast  for  lions, 

65 


From  Babel  to 


I  die.    But  I  shall  live  again.    But  if 

I  live  by  now  recanting  faith,  I  shall 

Twice  die.     O  Christ!  sustain  me  in  my  need. 

Forgive  me,  Sire,  forgetful  of  respect 

To  thee.     Pronounce  my  doom  but  first  accept 

As  from  a  Koman  born,  submission  true 

To  governmental  rule.     For  that  I  came. 

I  am  not  guilty  of  th'  imputed  crime 

Of  treason  or  revolt,  but  if  to  be 

A  Christian,  I  deserve  a  martyr's  death, 

So  let  it  be." 

The  day  had  darkened  fast. 
"More  would  I  know  of  thee  but  with  fatigue 
And  care  oppressed,  refreshment  now  I  seek. 
Hither,  without!"  and  as  the  Emperor  called 
The  guards  appeared.     "Take  this  poor  man  away. 
Entreat  him  kindly,  let  him  rest  and  eat, 
And  at  the  hour  of  nine  bring  him  to  me 
Within  my  private  chamber.     Have  no  fear, 
Friend  Christian,  for  thy  life,  but  study  how, 
Within  the  limits  of  an  hour  to-night, 
To  skilfully  unfold  to  me  your  creed." 

At  time  appointed  Jew  and  gaoler  came 
To  the  fair  palace  and  Aurelius'  room. 

66 


Brotherhood 


First  took  the  Emperor  the  Jew's  parole 

Discharging  him  from  ward  and  surveillance. 

Alone,  he  spoke  as  to  a  friend:     "Sit  thee 

Upon  this  couch  and  listen  first  to  me 

Unfold  the  garnered  wisdom  of  the  past." 

Swiftly  he  sketched  with  cogent  word  and  apt 

The  errors  of  mankind.     How  epicures 

And  those  who  lived  for  pleasure  suffered  most 

When  age  came  on,  or  luxury  no  more 

Could  yield  her  perfume  to  the  jaded  sense. 

"Control  your  body  with  exalted  mind 

Nor  seek  to  pander  to  your  appetite. 

Be  kind,  complacent,  strong,  with  courage  high 

Bearing  a  pain  or  suffering  a  slight 

Without  complaint.     Do  your  full  duty  well 

And  walk  with  virtue  ever  by  your  side. 

Work  always  and  aspire  to  better  deeds. 

Do  not  disdain  assistance  nor  compel 

Keturn  for  favors  done."     Thus  and  much  more 

The  stoic  did  unfold  of  wisdom's  law. 

"Now  tell  me,  Jew — or  Christian,  I  should  say — 

Wherein  we  differ.     What  it  is  that  makes 

Your  sect  so  hateful  to  your  fellow  man, 

For  I  have  made  examples  of  some  few 

Professors  of  your  kind." 


From  Babel  to 


"Eight  well  I  know 

That  dreadful  act,"  the  Christian  said,  "for  I 
A  brother  and  a  sister  lost  by  death. 
Strange  seems  it  to  me  that  in  comfort  here 
I  speak  with  calmness  and  we  talk  as  friends. 
Your  awful  power,  your  wisdom,  both  should  cause 
Great  dread  and  fear.    But  when  I  hear  you  speak 
All  fear  is  gone.     I  know  you  as  a  man 
Who,  not  unlike,  is  greater  than  the  rest. 
Your  words  with  pulsing  life  enrich  the  thought, 
But  as  I  follow,  rather  seem  a  code 
Of  conduct  than  a  creed.     My  code  includes 
A  faith.    Not  in  a  worldly  King  but  in 
A  God,  a  Saviour,  and  a  Spirit  pure." 

Then  did  the  Jew  with  growing  fervor  tell 
Redemption's  plan — the  brotherhood  in  Love. 
So  ardent  he  became,  Aurelius  sat 
With  burning  gaze  devouring  every  word, 
Until  at  length,  with  startled  pause,  the  Jew 
Fearing  he  gave  offense,  his  pardon  asked. 
"I  almost  feel  that  Truth  has  come  to  light. 
Enough  to-night,  friend  Christian,  I  must  think 
Of  all  you  spoke,  for  placid  minds  may  not 
Permit  too  suddenly  a  change  of  thought 

68 


Brotherhood 


To  unbalance  judgment  or  deceive  the  heart. 

Would  that  I  knew.     You  may  be  right. 

I  gave  to  slaughter  others  of  your  faith, 

But  not  again  shall  any  go  un judged. 

'Love  them  that  hate  you!'     'Tis  a  new  concept 

Of  life.     Your  creed  is  strange.     You  may  be  right." 

Forth  from  the  palace  walked  the  released  Jew 

To  visit  next  a  dying  thief  in  jail. 

Marcus  Aurelius'  taper  flickered  out 

And  as  his  servant  entered  to  renew 

The  flame,  he  heard  him  say,  "He  may  be  right." 

THE  RENAISSANCE 

PROPHETIC  miracle  of  the  time  to  come! 

When  through  one  speech  the  nations  of  the  Earth 
Should,  through  the  Holy  Spirit,  come  to  know 
Each  other  by  the  ties  of  brotherhood. 
Who  but  Omnipotence  could  reconcile 
Contending  opposites  like  these?     He  who 
Could  make  the  desert  blossom  as  the  rose. 
None  but  a  father  with  the  tenderest  love 
For  sons  that  disobeyed,  and  whose  dear  love 
He  sought,  from  willing  hearts,  would  thus  have  toiled 
To  join  them  to  each  other  and  to  Him. 


From  Babel  to 


A  s  those  that  in  their  fancy  voyage  far 

Among  the  worlds  of  light,  speeding  at  will 
From  star  to  star,  and  visiting  in  thought 
The  inhabitants  of  radiant  spheres  that  spread 
Through  boundless  space,  so  in  like  manner  men 
In  olden  time,  wondered  what  lay  beyond 
The  near  horizon  of  the  hoary  sea. 
Their  valor  quailed  before  Atlantic's  surge 
And  held  them  back,  not  from  new  worlds  alone, 
But  from  a  knowledge  of  that  continent 
Which  unknown  then  their  new  world  was  to  be. 
To  those  that  would  communicate  afar, 
Nothing  of  man's  ingenious  thought  devised 
Had  yet  surpassed  small  boats  and  willing  steed. 
The  swifter,  safer  means  of  intercourse 
Might  not  be  until  man  should  prove  his  right 
To  pass  his  narrow  bounds  and  learn  to  know, 
By  pleasing  God,  more  of  the  Eternal's  ways. 
Man  must  be  right  with  God  ere  he  be  free. 

A  BRILLIANT  period  succeeded  first 

Our  Saviour's  birth.     Then  seven  centuries 
Of  blackness  seemed  to  fall  on  all  mankind, 
With  but  a  little  flickering  light,  so  dim 
That  those  who  followed  almost  lost  the  way. 


70 


Brotherhood 


The  seed  was  growing  and  its  tiny  shoots, 

Tho'  trampled  and  pulled  up,  grew  between  stones 

Or  hid  in  crevice  from  destructive  blasts. 

Its  leaves  that  were  to  be  for  healing  all 

The  nations,  now  were  noxious  through  misuse, 

While  vultures  filled  the  branches  meant  for  doves. 

The  cruel  dominance  of  savage  tribes 

In  place  of  nations,  which  though  weak  thro'  sin, 

Had  by  experience  learned  some  arts  of  peace, 

Wrought  fearfully  upon  the  ancient  works 

Of  learning  and  of  culture.     Temples  fell, 

And  rifled  graves  and  towns  had  yielded  first 

Their  golden  loot  before  they  were  destroyed. 

By  slow  degrees, — so  slow,  that,  but  to  watch 

The  span  of  one  life  it  would  seem  that  all 

Had  stopped, — by  slow  degrees  a  new  life  grew, 

Something  like  nations  taking  form  again. 

The  furious  Northern  tribes  had  mingled  now 

With  remnants  from  the  Southerly  domain. 

Merging  with  those  whose  land  they  occupied 

They  soon  became  a  part  of  each  new  tribe 

In  which  they  joined,  and  having  cast  their  lot 

With  strangers,  themselves  became  as  strangers 

To  their  parent  soil.     Immigrants  thus, 

Changing  the  savage  foemen  of  the  North 


From  Babel  to 


In  all  save  hatred  for  the  world  at  large. 

New  thoughts  engendered  by  their  conquerors 

Gave  impulse  for  improvement  in  all  arts 

That  meant  success  in  war  and  in  defense. 

Great  buildings  rose  for  garrison  of  troops, 

Walled  cities  took  the  place  of  weak  stockades. 

All  evidence  of  skill  from  foreign  lands, 

Brought  by  the  races  that  were  come  to  share 

Their  perils  when  they  merged  their  lot.     In  all 

The  change,  there  still  remained  the  sturdy  strength 

Which  made  these  fair-haired  North  men  without  fear, 

Meet  their  invaders'  overwhelming  power. 

Stern  vigor  formed  by  climate  did  its  share 

In  shaping  minds,  that  tho'  defeated  oft, 

Compelled  surrender  to  their  stubborn  will. 

Their  home,  their  virtue  and  their  love  of  law, 

Kudely  assailed  by  conquerors  and  those 

Aliens  that  came  to  form  part  of  their  tribes, 

Resisted  all  attacks,  and  still  retained 

The  character  that  dominated  all. 

The  victors  fell  before  the  virtuous  shafts 

Of  homely  thought  and  honesty  of  life. 

Following  conquest  in  their  peaceful  robes, 

Eeligious  soldiers  bore  the  Cross  of  Christ 

To  utmost  Albion  and  the  frozen  North, 


72 


Brotherhood 


Teaching  their  doctrine  of  a  holy  church, 

Spreading  the  seed  imperfectly  'mid  weeds. 

The  restless  missionary  priest  advanced 

The  church's  claim.     His  aim  to  proselyte, 

Enthusiastic  at  his  own  expense, 

He  spent  himself  without  a  thought  of  pride. 

His  Christ  was  church — the  institution  ruled 

His  will,  his  action  and  his  utmost  hope. 

By  slow  degrees  it  conquered  pagan  rites. 

The  priestcraft  of  a  rude  idolatry, 

Degrading  sacrifice  and  brutal  forms 

Were  thus  supplanted  by  the  Church's  rule. 

Perhaps  imperfect,  rude  as  wras  the  time, 

Its  work  was  potent  with  a  ruder  folk 

To  whom  its  mission  came.     The  priest  became 

At  first  the  center  of  a  few  who  came 

To  use  his  learning.     He  dispensed  his  skill 

With  written  words, — became  the  clerk,  and  gave 

Counsel  from  records  none  but  he  could  read. 

The  monastery  in  its  early  life 

Became  the  university,  and  round 

It  grew  ofttimes  a  town,  where  intellect 

By  native  strength  attracted  simple  minds, 

And  exercised  dominion  through  its  power. 

Slowly  progressed  these  tribes  in  arts  of  peace, 


73 


From" Babel  to 


Slowly  small  kingdoms  merged  with  larger  ones. 
Joining  to  fight  some  common  enemy, 
They  fought  each  other,  when  the  outside  fear 
Gave  respite.     Slowly  grew  the  better  force 
That  sprung  from  teachings  of  a  better  life. 
Mistaken  ardor  lead  to  fearful  crimes, 
Committed  in  the  new  religion's  name, 
By  those  who  sought  new  converts  with  a  sword 
Nor  knew,  nor  seemed  to  care,  that  it  taught  love. 
New  members  added  to  the  Church,  through  fear 
Of  slaughter,  could  not  know  the  gentle  words 
Of  peace  on  Earth,  good  will  to  all  mankind. 
Slowly  the  race  progressed,  because  in  spite 
Of  war,  of  slaughter  and  of  ignorance, 
By  slow  degrees  a  work  was  going  on 
That  finally  took  form,  though  crudely  poor; 
And  letters,  government  and  all  the  arts, 
With  common  impulse,  seemed  about  to  bud. 
The  Orient  sent  its  builders  toward  the  West 
And  architecture,  new  to  this  wild  land, 
Gave  impulse  to  a  nobler  thought.     The  Moor 
Who  had  from  early  times,  preserved  secrets 
In  leather,  steel  and  stone,  his  knowledge  gave 
To  Spain,  from  whence  it  came  by  slow  degrees. 
The  renaissance  gave  painting,  sculpture,  books, 


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Brotherhood 


To  France  and  Italy,  while  by  slow  means 
The  Northern  countries  eaine  within  the  spell 
That  gave  illumined  thoughts  and  high  ideals 
To  minds  long  darkened.     Little  wonder  that 
The  change  was  slow;  the  only  marvel  was 
It  should  have  bloomed  as  fair  when  it  did  come. 
The  broad  foundations  were  securely  laid, 
Deep  trenched  and  massy,  for  the  pond'rous  weight 
Of  civilization's  best  accomplishment. 
The  arts  of  war  with  peaceful  arts  kept  pace; 
Using  the  merchant  ship  for  man-of-war, 
Taking  the  plowhorse  for  its  cavalry, 
The  farmer  from  his  fields  for  soldier  needs. 
Nations  took  form  as  conquest  subdued  tribes, 
Laws  crude  but  manly,  simulated  those 
Of  ancient  times.     The  new  religion  too, 
Added  adherents,  though  its  light  was  pale. 
Under  religion's  name  the  Church  aroused 
The  willing  warriors  to  a  Holy  War. 
Already  there  had  come  to  be  a  change 
Wrought  out  by  minds  superior  and  pure. 
A  change  from  robbery  and  brutal  might 
Resulting  in  exalted  chivalry. 
Any  high  purpose  or  romantic  tale 
Sufficed  to  draw  the  armoured  knight  abroad 


75 


From  Babel  to 


To  deeds  of  valor.    At  last  the  Church  made  use 
Of  this  condition  for  its  great  Crusades. 
The  Saviour's  tomb  must  from  the  Infidel 
Be  rescued.     Sacred  relics  claimed  and  kept. 
Hatred  and  slaughter  in  the  cause  of  Christ 
Were  preached  as  needful  to  the  "holy"  end. 
Each  nation  sent  its  valiant  chivalry 
In  great  array  for  conquest.     None  could  stand 
Against  united  strength  such  as  possessed 
These  all  undaunted  soldiers  of  the  Cross. 
But  unity  they  lacked,  nor  was  it  long 
Before  the  jealous  hatred,  that  at  home 
Most  ruled  their  thoughts,  caused  them  on  this, 
Their  holy  war,  soon  to  fall  out  and  break 
Each  from  the  other  until,  weak  at  last 
From  their  internal  strifes,  their  mutual  foe 
Helped  by  destructive  climate  drove  them  back. 
Clearly  it  was  not  the  Almighty's  plan 
That  man  should  worship  relics,  but  instead, 
Should  worship  Him  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 

REVOLT  AGAINST  THE  CHURCH 

IT  INGS  ruled  their  peoples  with  the  power  of  fear, 

Nobles  bore  heavily  on  dependent  swains, 
Fathers  made  almost  slaves  of  wife  and  child, 

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Brotherhood 


The  Church  ruled  all  through  superstition's  power. 

Each  made  the  other  yield  for  his  own  use 

By  brutal  weapons  or  the  abuse  of  might. 

Resentment  at  these  fetters  slowly  grew 

And  found  expression  finally  in  acts. 

The  course  of  learning,  slow  at  first  but  sure, 

Through  literature  gave  light  to  darkened  lives. 

The  Word  revealed  for  man's  instruction,  came 

Unspoiled  from  out  the  rubbish  of  the  past, 

Fresh  with  the  truth  and  Heaven's  law  of  Love. 

Its  words  translated  shone  as  beacon  lights 

Amid  the  fogs  of  brutish  helplessness. 

To  those  who  read,  there  came  encouragement, 

And  as  analysis  succeeded  hope, 

Protests  arose  against  the  Church's  rule. 

The  light  of  liberty  shone  through  the  woods 

And  slowly  spread  throughout  the  heavy  gloom. 

Useless  the  effort  to  suppress  the  flame 

Through  torture,  bloodshed  or  the  martyr's  stake; 

Useless  the  threats  to  ex-communicate 

Those  who  would  fealty  give  to  God  alone. 

The  darkened,  cruel  past  its  purpose  served 

But  now  the  new  day's  gleam  rose  o'er  the  world 

And  darkened  councils,  that  before  seemed  fair, 

Became  abhorred.     A  quickened  hope  arose; 


77 


From  Babel  to 


Learning  increased  and  then  intolerance. 
Slowly  the  root  found  moisture,  slowly  grew, 
Less  slowly  but  as  sure,  the  stalk  advanced 
From  the  weak  shoot  to  firm  and  woody  strength. 
Its  leaves  put  forth,  at  first  but  small  and  few, 
Increasing  slowly  'gainst  the  bitter  blasts, 
Gained  strength  by  warring  with  an  envious  foe. 


by  a  spirit  dominating  far 
Beyond  the  limits  of  his  close  retreat, 
Attracted  by  his  logic  more  than  love, 
Came  one  to  try  with  Calvin,  on  behalf 
Of  hosts  less  daring,  arguments  of  church. 
A  Eomish  scholar,  subtle,  learned  and  deep, 
The  stranger  neither  wore  the  churchly  air 
Nor  on  the  other  hand  revealed  the  rank 
Of  prince,  that  through  his  birthright  in  the  House 
Of  Guise,  bespoke  him  as  a  courtly  enemy. 
Long  had  Prince  Stephen  pondered  on  his  plan, 
Had  thought  out  every  detail  of  approach, 
And  carefully  arranged  his  part  to  play 
By  introduction,  costume  and  employ 
Of  favorable  means.     His  object  was 
To  meet  the  Church's  enemy  and  his  own, 
Twist  from  the  Protestant  incautious  words 


Brotherhood 


And  by  discredit  weaken  the  belief 

Of  many  who  had  left  the  Komish  Church. 

All  other  means  had  thus  far  failed  to  stay 

The  growing  alienation  from  the  Church, 

Especially  amongst  that  middle  class, 

The  "bourgeois"  tradesmen,  artisans  and  those 

Most  mean  but  thrifty,  necessary  streams 

Whose  contributions  ceasing,  caused  to  fall 

Unwonted  low  the  level  reservoir. 

The  Inquisition,  torture,  and  the  stake, 

No  more  withheld  these  men  but  added  more. 

Cunning  might  now  effect,  Prince  Stephen  thought, 

Diversion  from  a  course  that  seemed  to  him 

No  more  than  peurile  or  misunderstood. 

With  one  attendant  rode  the  Prince,  and  knocked 

With  gentle  hand  upon  the  humble  door 

That  in  Geneva  sheltered  the  divine. 

His  entrance  made  and  his  credentials  passed, 

The  crafty  churchman  spoke  his  secret  foe: 

"We  of  Eochelle  desire  to  learn  your  will 
Concerning  sacraments — whether  the  Host 
Should  be  exalted  and  the  holy  sign 
Marked  with  blessed  water  on  the  penitent? 


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From  Babel  to 


"What  need  of  signs,"  Calvin  replied,  "to  those 
That  hold  the  Truth  within?    As  for  the  'Host' 
He  who  broke  bread  instructed  all  to  eat, 
Not  one  for  all." 

"But,"  said  Prince  Stephen,  "if 
The  precious  emblems  are  partaken  of, 
Must  there  not  be  a  priest  to  break  the  bread, 
To  pour  the  wine?    And  if  a  priest  for  that, 
Must  he  not,  therefore,  be  the  priest  for  all? 
The  mediator  'twixt  mankind  and  God?" 

"Out  upon  priests.     Who  sent  you  here  to  prate 
Of  sickly  forms?"     In  wrath  the  Sage  spoke  on. 
"Make  clean  the  inside,  never  mind  the  out. 
No  formal  rites  or  intervening  priest 
Is  needed  for  redemption  of  mankind." 

"But,"  answered  Stephen,  "Shepherds  were  ordained 

To  teach  the  humble,  and  to  lead  and  feed 

Those  that  depend  for  guidance  on  their  care. 

Must  there  not  be  one  head  of  all  the  flock, 

And  under  him  appointed  ministers 

Endued  with  power  and  with  authority, 

In  their  behoof  to  rule  and  mediate? 


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Brotherhood 


Spiritual  fathers  teaching  doctrine, 
Correcting  faults,  propitiating  God, 
Must  intervene  if  man  is  to  be  saved." 

Not  for  a  moment  had  the  Sage's  eyes 

Left  Stephen's  as  he  spoke,  but  now  he  turned 

His  gaze  and  murmured  as  if  to  himself 

Alone :     "  'The  just  shall  live  by  faith.'  "     Then  quick 

As  if  awaking  from  a  dream,  he  turned 

His  flashing  eye  on  the  false  minister. 

"Throw  off  thy  sheepskin,  wolf!     I'm  not  deceived." 

His  voice  was  rough,  and  seemed  his  eye  to  pierce 

Straight  through  the  cover  to  the  naked  soul. 

Shrunk  back  his  visitor,  and  seemed  to  shrink 

In  size  before  this  feeble-bodied  giant — 

A  giant  of  intellect.     "Come  you  to  me," 

He  cried,  "to  subtly  find  through  enquiry, 

And  seeming  interest  in  our  noble  faith, 

Some  weakened  link  or  incomplete  detail? 

I  know  you  now,  sneaking  within  the  fold 

To  steal  my  sheep  or  make  them  doubt  my  voice. 

No!  artful  man,  no  priest  nor  Pope  needs  be 

An  intercessor  'twixt  my  God  and  me. 

One  priest  alone,  the  sacrificial  Lamb, 

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From  Babel  to 


Through  whose  dear  means  I'm  reconciled  to  God. 
Are  we  God's  sons?    I  hear  my  Father's  voice 
Speaking  a  warning  against  anti-Christ. 
You  are  not  of  us  nor  can  you  conceal 
Longer  your  true  self  underneath  your  mask/' 

Darkly  the  prince's  gaze  kindled  with  wrath 
Not  at  discovery  but  at  the  attacks 
Upon  his  Church.     With  wounded  pride  he  spoke 
With  hurried  voice,  intense  and  arrogant — 

"I  will  not  stay  to  hear  your  blasphemy 

Against  the  Holy  Church.     Our  fathers  raised 

Their  edifice  upon  the  rock.     Received 

Authority  to  bind  and  loose,  and  hold 

In  right  of  ancient  practices  the  power 

To  here  administer  all  Christian  rites. 

By  that  authority  the  Church's  head 

Condemns  you,  who  protest,  to  worse  than  death." 

"Cease  your  weak  tirade,"  Calvin  said,  "and  learn 
That  your  false  claims  and  threats  are  no  avail. 
Assuming,  though  not  provable,  your  Church 
Possessed  good  title  from  divine  command, 
Misconduct  has  now  forfeited  its  claims. 


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Brotherhood 


Your  false  interpretation  of  God's  word 

Misled  the  ignorant  and  you  imposed 

Upon  credulity.     This  damns  your  claim 

Of  right  to  represent  the  works  of  Truth. 

Moreover,  lust  for  power  has  caused  to  grow 

A  rank  and  worldly  edifice,  so  great 

It  threatens  kingdoms  and  demands  rebuke. 

Built  on  the  superstitions  you  create 

It  grinds  the  poor  and  terrifies  the  rich. 

No  progress  can  endure  beneath  the  gloom 

Of  sickening  shades  and  suffocating  fogs. 

Give  men  God's  word  in  language  of  their  own 

And  let  the  light  divine  dispel  the  foul 

And  miasmatic  gloom!  or  let  it  fall 

If  it  contain  not  power  within  itself. 

Depart,  young  man.     Hug  your  sad  chains  and  die, 

But  learn  this  truth.     Your  Church  cannot  maintain 

Its  vicious  rule.     Its  sway  must  end  before 

The  march  of  progress.     It  has  both  betrayed 

The  Christian  ethics  and  the  revealed  word. 

Perverted  truth  by  which  the  Spirit  dies, 

Built  for  an  earthly  not  a  Heavenly  rule." 

Angry,  abashed,  withdrew  the  crafty  prince 
Nor  could  he  leave  without  a  threat'ning  word. 

83 


From  Babel  to 


"Keserve  thy  threats,"  the  Protestant  replied  , 

"For  those  that  fear  the  body's  suffering. 

Let  loose  your  engines  of  iniquity; 

Let  flow  the  heart-blood  of  devoted  men; 

But  know  that  every  drop  will  fertilize 

The  arid  soil,  and  each  will  be  a  seed 

From  whence  a  hundred  others  will  be  born." 

The  guest  attended  by  his  man,  made  haste 

To  leave  the  place.     Defeated  in  his  aim, 

He  carried  nought  that  he  could  use  against 

This  great  apostle  of  terrific  faith. 

DLOOD  flowed  from  hateful  quarrels  till  the  land 

Was  drenched  with  it.     The  Church  and  Protestant 
Each  used  the  bloody  sword  and  poisoned  cup. 
Dissensions  over  faith    not  only  split 
The  Church,  but  kingdoms,  even  homes,  were  rent 
By  differences  of  faith.     Intolerance 
Dominated  all.     The  rule  of  iron 
Insisted  on  its  old  prerogative; 
Insisted  on  obedience  to  its  will. 
With  equal  bitterness  the  others  fought 
For  freedom.     Everywhere  distrust  and  hate 
Distorted  visions,  that  lost  sight  of  love, 
And  dreadful  slaughter  came  instead  of  peace. 


Brotherhood 


Learning  increased  and  gave  its  devotees 

New  thoughts,  new  aspirations,  new  desires. 

Under  the  tumult  of  the  raging  sword 

The  tree  was  pruned,  and  might  have  bled  to  death 

But  that  its  vigor  needed  this  surcease. 

The  nations  fought  for  conquest  as  before, 

But  learning  made  men  more  inquisitive 

Of  those  things   that  lay  still  beyond  their  ken. 

Little  each  nation  knew  of  other  lands, 

Of  other  nations,  or  of  distant  tribes. 

They  mingled  not  except  in  enmity 

And  by  destructive  hatred  kept  apart. 

THE  RESERVED  CONTINENT 

HpHB  time  had  in  its  fullness  come  at  last, 

When  to  the  old  world  there  should  be  revealed 
The  New.     As  thistle-down  upon  the  wind 
Blown  far  across  the  moor,  alights  and  grows, 
Planting  its  feeble  seed  in  sterile  soil, 
So  were  the  adventurous  few  who  crossed  the  sea 
To  find  another  continent.     They  went 
Not  with  the  thought,  for  if  'twere  ever  known 
By  those  that  in  the  Old  World  had  remained, 
Its  memory  had  been  forgotten  long. 

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From  Babel  to 


Along  the  wharf  of  Palos  at  midday, 

A  brave  adventurer  walked  with  a  friend 

Who  gave  him  rapt  attention.     O'er  the  bay 

The  rippling  sunshine  danced,  nor  seemed  unsafe 

For  vessel  of  the  lightest  build.     April 

Was  come  with  balmy  breath  and  calm  repose, 

Making  the  rough  Atlantic  now  seem  calm, 

Inviting  and  secure.     The  city  streets 

Were  foul  with  old  wTorld  filth,  decay  and  dirt, 

Hidden  'neath  structures  noisesome,  dark  and  wet. 

The  two  companions  gazing  on  the  sea, 

Forgot  the  rank  unwholesomeness  of  land, 

Kesting  their  ardent  gaze  upon  a  fleet 

Of  little  ships  that  swung  at  anchor  near. 

"Shall  you,  my  dear  Columbus,  undertake 
The  hazardous  attempt  of  which  you  dream? 
Frail  are  thy  ships  for  awful  enterprise 
In  unknown  seas  to  undiscovered  coasts." 

"Bate  not  so  meanly  this  accomplishment 
That  hath,  dear  friend,  cost  many  fearful  years 
Of  darkened  disappointment  and  delay. 
Long  have  I  labored  for  this  very  hour, 
Its  slow  fulfilment  but  now  taking  form. 

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Both  ocean  and  the  distant  coast  seem  friends 
Already  known  before  I  view  them  near. 
Instead  of  apprehension  or  delay, 
Exhiliration  fills  me  with  delight. 
I  see  the  world  as  if  far  off  removed, 
Bound  as  a  sphere,  with  India  beyond, 
West  of  the  strip  of  ocean  lying  here. 
Thither  we  go  to  carry  hope,  and  find 
By  easy  intercourse,  a  wealthy  land." 

"But  yes,  dear  Christopher,"  his  friend  replied, 
"It  sounds  persuasive  and  one  feels  convinced 
Of  what  you  say  in  conversation  sweet 
Or  earnest  argument.     But  when  away 
From  your  convincing  tongue,  myself  confess 
To  have  misgivings,  that  like  harpy  ghosts, 
I  cannot  lay  with  bravery  or  wit. 
You  say  the  earth  is  round  and  bring  us  tests 
By  ancient  documents  and  seeming  proofs. 
I  have  accepted  both  your  faith  and  you 
And  so  admit  conviction  on  this  point 
Though  failing  still  to  comprehend  the  power 
That  holds  men  to  the  outside  of  the  globe. 
Some  must  be  standing  with  inverted  heads 
Their  feet  opposed  to  ours.     While,  furthermore, 


From  Babel  to 


If  one  sails  half  around,  then  his  return 
Must  of  necessity  be  all  up  hill. 
I  like  not  such  experiments,  and  wish 
That  you  would  be  content  to  linger  here, 
Viewing  as  have  our  fathers  from  all  time, 
The  hazy  horizon  from  solid  land." 

"Wouldst  thou  dissuade  me  of  my  dearest  wish 
With  threadbare  arguments  and  puny  fears? 
Have  not  our  fathers  ventured  far  from  land? 
Better  it  is  for  me  to  take  the  step 
Leading  away  toward  paths  as  yet  untrod, 
Than  live  in  sad  regret.     This  ocean  meets 
The  land  at  some  remote  and  distant  point. 
Taking  a  Westward  course  by  sea  and  land, 
By  steady  travel  will  in  course  of  time, 
Return  one  to  this  very  starting  place." 

"I  fear,  dear  Christopher,  but  I  believe," 

Eeplied  his  friend,  "My  faith  is  pledged  to  thee 

In  golden  guaranty.     Thy  life  is  thine 

To  offer  in  so  perilous  a  voyage. 

If  through  the  trackless  sea  a  path  you  make 

To  Eastern  India,  how  frail  the  means. 

Think  on  the  raging  flood,  the  awful  storm 


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Brotherhood 
And  on  the  slight  protection  of  your  craft." 

"Desist!  forbear  such  pallid,  anxious  thoughts 

Which  thou  mightst  use  to  fright  a. boy  withal. 

Know  thou  my  purpose  is  well  fixed,  my  mind 

Is  turned  to  every  vague  contingency. 

My  ships  now  manned,  provisioned  and  made  fit 

Await  my  word.     Rejoice  with  me.     Look  out 

Beyond  the  distant  horizon  and  see 

The  wealthy  coast,  the  teeming,  fertile  land, 

Eich  in  its  promises,  ready  to  yield 

Its  gold  and  in  return  accept  the  Faith. 

Scarce  can  I  wait  the  morrow's  dawn,  to  say 

'Hoist  sail  and  anchor !     Forward !     Westward  Ho  P  " 

T   ITTLB  they  realized,  these  early  few 

That  saw  the  hither  shores  that  lay  beyond, 
That  conquest  of  the  sea  was  made  at  last; 
A  goal  was  found  beyond  the  watery  waste 
Which  beckoned  with  its  lure  adventurers  bold. 
The  time  was  pregnant.     Everywhere  the  news 
Awakened  interest.     Nations  wanted  land 
To  hold  and  govern  in  this  paradise. 
All  sorts  of  men  from  every  country  went 
To  find  what  most  they  wished  and  lusted  for 

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From  Babel  to 


The  dreams  of  gold,  of  conquest  or  of  peace, 

Were  thought  to  have  fulfilment  in  that  place. 

Even  the  priest,  not  less  intrepid  than 

The  armoured  warrior,  braved  the  unknown  sea, 

And  in  the  wilds  amidst  a  savage  tribe 

Planted  his  Cross  and  preached  the  holy  word. 

Stern   Protestants,  intense  with  righteous  thought, 

Preferred  the  perils  of  this  wild  domain 

If  so  they  might  avoid  dominion,  which 

Refused  their  right  to  worship  as  they  would. 

Fantastic  notions  of  the  world's  extent 

Incited  hopes  to  reach  the  distant  East 

By  easy  passage.     Vague  ideas  restrained 

At  first  the  ardor,  that  grew  into  lust 

For  empire,  as  the  New  World  became  known. 

Its  worth,  its  treasure  and  its  fruitful  fields, 

Were  scarcely  dreamt  of,  but  enough  was  seen 

To  show  a  Paradise — which  like  its  type, 

Must  be  hard  bought  by  conquest  and  by  toil. 

With  faithful  toil  small  colonies  arose 

Which  rooted  firmly  in  a  sterile  soil 

Started  the  earnest  of  a  future  state. 

Intolerant  of  softness  and  of  ease, 

Alike  intolerant  of  the  Church,  and  all 

Who  differed  with  them  in  their  stern  beliefs, 


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Brotherhood 


These  pilgrims  of  that  sort  that  Europe  feared 

For  conq'ring  zeal,  ascetics,  adamant, 

They  cut  as  diamonds  through  the  hardest  stone. 

Untamed  in  courage,  never  losing  hope, 

Their  spirit  burned,  fed  by  adversity. 

Intense  and  zealous,  serious  and  grim, 

Fearless  they  met  all  dangers,  and  endured 

So  they  should  freely  act  and  live  within 

Their  own  severe  constraint.     What  wonder  that 

From  such  a  stock  should  grow  the  type  of  men 

That  by  their  dominating  will  should  mould 

A  people  to  their  law,  their  speech,  their  thrift. 

Others  survived  the  pioneer,  and  they 

Environed  by  a  friendlier  climate  grew 

In  more  luxuriant,  not  more  wholesome  soil. 

GATHERING  OF  THE  NATIONS 

E  hardy  Dutch,  daring,  commercial,  shrewd; 

German  and  Flemish  artisans,  and  French 
Kefugees,  posessed  of  matchless  skill 
In  fabric-making  arts;  Scotland  and  Spain, 
Switzerland  and  utmost  Europe,  sent 
Envoys  extraordinary  to  this  land 
To  meet  on  common  soil  their  hated  foes. 


From  Babel  to 


Long  time  these  colonists  kept  separate 
Each  from  his  neighbor  of  another  race, 
Until  by  common  dangers  and  assaults, 
A  common  interest  for  their  safety,  raised 
Community  of  help.     Ingenious  plans 
Developed  carefully  by  England,  gave 
To  her  preeminent  control  and  rule 
That  grew  with  conquest  in  this  vast  domain. 
Whipped  from  her  shores,  or  leaving  to  escape 
Eeligious  tyrannies  and  foul  constraints, 
Europe's  best  manhood  left  its  motherland. 
A  silent  spirit  animated  all. 
These  emigrants  were  law-abiding  men 
Ready  to  give  obedience  to  just  rule, 
But  when  fanatic  churchmen  and  their  King 
Sought  to  compel  against  their  conscience,  then 
Jaded  beyond  endurance  they  rebelled. 
Each  country  had  offended.     Each  had  tried 
Compulsion  as  a  cure  for  that  disease 
As  they  esteemed  it.     Fatal  was  the  cure, 
For  those  condemned  had  seen  a  truer  light. 
Pure,  undefiled  religion  spite  of  all 
Increased  with  torture,  ridicule  and  hate. 
The  nations  bore  their  hatred  each  to  each, 
But  each  one  hated  more  than  rival  throne 


92 


Brotherhood 


The  enthusiast  whose  spirit  would  not  yield. 
Such  men  assembled  on  the  New  World's  shore, 
And  formed  the  nucleus  of  a  mighty  state. 
The  old  world's  folly  brought  to  pass  at  last 
The  breaking  of  the  bud  which  held  the  flower. 

TJNHAPPY  at  prosperity  enjoyed 

By  her  remote  and  hated  colonists, 
Despising  but  still  seeking  to  control 
For  money's  sake,  the  rulers  over  sea 
With  insult  and  embittered  irony 
Again  this  people  sought  to  drive, 
And  by  compulsion,  force  a  heavy  load 
To  carry  for  their  far-off  government. 
Too  late,  the  wiser  ones  now  saw 
Their  distant  kindred  in  another  light. 
Too  late,  they  realized  that  sudden  wrath 
Toward  either  Church  or  State  which  should  attempt 
By  delegated  agent  to  enforce 
Its  distant  mandates,  would  arouse  a  flame 
That  would  spread  finally  throughout  the  world. 
Driven  from  home  to  this  last  continent 
Appropriate  to  their  needs,  their  hopes  and  aims, 
The  sternest  spirits  of  each  different  race 
United  in  a  cry  for  liberty. 


93 


Prom  Babel  to 


Little  republics  of  the  renaissance 

Founded  by  cities  separate,  alone, 

Had  breathed  the  air  of  freedom  for  a  while, 

A  while  maintained  an  independent  state, 

But  much  too  circumscribed  to  long  endure. 

Now  in  America  there  rose  high  thoughts 

From  humble  homes.     Why  should  we  not  be  free? 

Stern  Puritans,  with  mem'ries  of  the  past, 

Bead  through  their  Bibles  and  on  Cromwell  thought; 

Proud  cavaliers  remembered  their  descent. 

Some  mutterings  heard  by  rulers  over  sea 

Gave  warning  of  a  discontent,  that  grew 

With  threats.     There  is  a  spirit  in  a  man 

That  needs  but  to  be  touched  by  divine  flame 

To  multiply  his  strength.     So  was  now  fanned 

The  growing  flame  that  soon  would  overcome 

All  prudence;  that  would  raise  men  from  the  low 

And  homely  walks  of  daily  life,  to  lead 

A  ragged  few  against  well  ordered  troops 

To  victory.     That  would  sustain  a  poor 

Devoted  sailor  in  an  ill-equipped, 

Unhandy  ship,  to  fight  proud  frigates  and 

Compel  their  rev'rence  to  a  new-born  flag. 

Strangely  each  nation  looked  on  each  to  see 

Its  hated  rival's  children  with  its  own 


94 


Brotherhood 


Shoulder  to  shoulder  in  confederacy 

Against  a  common  foe — one  of  themselves. 

A  nation!     Self-declared  upon  ideas 

Of  independence  and  equality. 

In  very  truth  the  most  absurd  of  all, 

That  all  men  were  created  equal.     Here 

Was  a  dream  to  fade  away  and  leave 

The  lowly  victors  to  awaken  sad 

And  worse  in  fate  than  with  paternal  care. 

The  hand  of  God,  in  whom  they  placed  their  own, 

Proved  mightier  far  than  earthly  potentate's. 

His  spirit  fired  their  zeal,  sustained  their  hope 

And  prompted  greatness  in  the  common  clay. 

He  who  had  breathed  the  breath  of  life  at  first, 

Who  raised  the  race  of  man  from  one  man's  loins; 

Who  raised  a  nation  from  a  single  seed; 

Who  led  it  by  His  spirit,  would  not  now 

Forsake  those  who  should  humbly  trust  in  Him. 

These  followers  of  His  Son  who  gave  up  wealth, 

Or  had  forsaken  well-secured  domains 

To  serve  their  Lord  in  conscience-freedom,  thus 

Received  the  promised  help.     He  ever  keeps 

His  word.     The  Tree  of  Life  was  taking  root. 


95 


From  Babel  to 

DEMOCRACY 

\/l  EN  that  were  subjects  once,  now  sovereign  were, 

And  gave  their  thanks  for  God's  deliverance. 
Here  might  the  nations  take  the  healing  leaves. 
Hither  they  came  but  hate  was  not  subdued. 
A  fertile  soil  where  liberty  might  grow, 
A  fertile  soil  in  which  to  nurture  truth, 
A  fertile  soil  for  eviPs  mighty  work 
Fresh  to  the  use  of  civilized  mankind 
To  work  his  problems  out: — a  virgin  land, 
A  beauteous  bride,  a  lovely  mother  now. 
A  mother's  heart  balanced  'twixt  love  and  fear, 
A  bounteous  bosom  rich  with  nourishment, 
Her  sons  in  infancy  must  give  their  love, 
Devotion  and  dear  service.     Here  shall  be 
In  their  new  world  united  all  mankind. 

JJ  ITHEE  shall  come  of  all  of  Noah's  sons 

And  meet  each  other  in  the  bonds  of  peace. 
But  evil  met  them  and  intruded  foul, 
Unhealthy  thoughts  within  their  paradise. 
Prompted  by  hope  of  gain  they  dealt  in  slaves 
Who  late  had  come  to  shake  off  tyranny; 
Envious  of  each  other,  those  that  fled 


Brotherhood 


From  warring  nations,  now  sought  separate  states. 

A  great  convulsion  followed  the  disease 

Ere  it  was  found  that  in  the  age's  hope 

Union  with  liberty  must  join  their  hands, 

If  men  should  freely  mingle  and  advance. 

This  race  must  differ  in  its  type  and  mind, 

If  it  should  be  a  blessing  to  mankind. 

Self  interest  it  must  have  if  it  progress, 

But  it  must  likewise  rule  with  equal  hand 

Itself  and  all  that  to  its  shores  would  come. 

Self  interest  in  a  new  light  then  revealed 

The  need  that,  if  a  man  should  prosper,  or 

A  state  be  strong  within  itself,  there  must 

Exist  a  fair  and  equal  duty  each  to  each. 

Thus  the  first  lesson  of  our  Saviour's  law 

"Thou  shalt  thy  neighbor  as  thyself  esteem," 

Becomes  revealed  through   stern  necessity. 

The  first  commandment  still  remains  to  be 

More  perfectly  obeyed  as  wisdom  grows, 

And  truth  enlightens  intellects,  too  dark 

To  know  that  God  requires  His  children's  love. 

The  fertile  plains,  the  deep,  expansive  coast, 

The  wooded  hills,  the  metal-loaded  mounts, 

The  rivers,  lakes  and  broad  expanse  of  land 

Proclaim  an  Eden  to  the  rescued  sons 


97 


From  Babel  to 


Of  him,  who  from  his  Eden  was  cast  out. 
Unheard  of  wealth,  the  sov'reignty  of  kings, 
Kedeems  the  curse  that  labor  cast  on  life; 
Work  becomes  life,  and  sweetens  its  reward 
When  coupled  with  content  and  happiness. 
Hither  the  nations  sent  from  all  the  earth 
Its  children,  good  and  bad,  from  every  clime. 
Nurtured  in  schools  of  hard  economy, 
Lured  by  the  hope  of  wealth,  enduring,  strong, 
They  added  to  the  country's  native  wealth 
And  they  and  it  increased  in  rich  rewards. 
Here  they  found  freedom,  liberty,  and  law, 
111  understood  at  first  but  fast  to  grow 
A  passion  dear  as  life.     Ground  down  at  home 
Beneath  relentless  power,  they  soon  learned  here 
That  they  might  join  the  rule  and  be  the  king. 

COMMON  LANGUAGE 

^  COMMON  language  spoke  from  sea  to  sea, 
And  up  and  down  the  mighty  continent, 
Made  for  the  first  time  possible,  since  when 
The  curse  of  Babel,  through  confused  tongues, 
Caused  men  by  language,  without  thought,  to  hate 
Those  of  a  different  speech,  to  assemble  now 


Brotherhood 


And  by  one  language  to  one  race  become. 

Swift  followed  power  to  use  the  means  of  speed. 

Withheld  before  in  the  Almighty's  plan 

Till  ripe  for  use,  swift  means  of  intercourse 

Had  never  been  permitted.     He  that  turned 

The  earth  in  fast  revolving  flight  upon 

Its  even  course  through  terrifying  space, 

That  spoke  from  Heaven  and  'twas  done  on  earth, 

Saved  for  His  plan  of  peace  man's  use  of  speed. 

Through  all  the  ages  of  mankind  on  earth, 

His  learning,  culture,  skill,  nor  wisdom  yet 

Had  taught  of  things  more  fleet  than  horse  or  sail. 

But  on  a  sudden  now,  there  seemed  to  burst 

Upon  the  world  a  marvellous  thought.     Man  now 

With  safety  sped  across  the  sea  and  land, 

Going  where  e'er  he  would,  nor  pause  to  rest. 

He  spoke,  his  voice  was  heard  a  thousand  miles, 

His  messages  exchanged  beneath  the  seas. 

Throbbing,  pulsating,  healthful,  happy  life 

Covered  the  new  world  now  from  sea  to  sea. 

The  nations  sneered,  but  later  marvelling, 

Redoubled  vigilance  against  this  king 

Among  the  mighty.     Holding  high  a  place 

Between  the  West  and  Orient,  they  feared 

They  knew  not  what,  but  always  they  feared  Power. 


99 


From  Babel  to 


Such  power  united  in  so  great  a  host, 

Resources  boundless,  energy  and  skill 

Joined  with  a  general  learning  far  beyond 

That  ever  seen  in  any  land  before, 

Kebuked  and  terrified  where  hate  endured. 

The  nations  sent  their  quota  to  this  land 

Of  all  their  best.     The  sturdy  youth  and  maid 

Celtic,  Italian,  German,  Norse  and  Greek, 

The  Slav,  the  Pole,  the  Syrian  and  Turk, 

With  African  and  Mongol,  brought  their  strength, 

Their  energy  and  hope,  to  the  new  w^orld. 

They  came  for  gain,  excited  by  the  lust 

That  always  stimulates  and  never  tires. 

Some  thought  of  liberty,  but  most  of  gold, 

Their  ways  converged  as  similar  in  aim. 

Whether  in  mine,  or  shop,  or  farm,  or  sea, 

The  hoped  for  fruits  of  labor  seemed  most  fair, 

Thither  they  went  nor  little  cared  at  last 

For  race  or  creed.     The  promised  land  was  theirs. 

QNE  speech  they  learned,  and  economic  use 

Proved  this  for  government  and  learning,  more 
Useful  than  their  own  mixed  tongues.     So,  too, 
In  labor,  art  and  commerce  grew  the  need 
And  reconciled  the  common  tongue  to  all. 


100 


V  A  :     : :'  V  K  i  '-: :  brotherhood 


This  land  adopted  for  their  several  homes, 
They  found  was  theirs  to  govern  and  enjoy, 
While  Freedom  in  their  new  environment 
Sweetly  enticed  their  sacrifice  and  love. 
Threatened  rebellion  or  a  foreign  foe, 
Brought  every  manly  son  of  every  race 
Under  one  standard  side  by  side  to  fight. 
Government,  law  and  all  the  arts  of  peace 
Seduced  their  racial  pride  by  slow  degrees, 
'Till  children  native  to  the  land,  and  schooled 
Beneath  an  equitable  law,  grew  up  to  feel 
That  their  compatriots  had  a  prior  claim 
To  any  that  from  heritage  had  come. 
Eestless  possessors  of  a  mighty  land 
That  lay  between  the  oceans,  and  that  knew 
Neither  the  enervating  tropic  nor  the  cold 
Of  arctic  regions.     Here  they  came  to  work, 
And  here  they  found  such  stimulus  of  means, 
Unlimited  variety,  ample  scope, 
That  each  place  seemed  a  new  discovered  land. 
Here  was  a  flinty  soil  hard  by  a  coast 
Kich  with  the  choicest  fish.    While  here  a  port 
Devised  by  nature  for  commercial  power. 
Beyond,  great  inland  lakes  and  rivers  broad, 
That  watered  fertile  prairies,  and  conveyed 


101 


From  Babelto ^  : 


The  grain  and  ore  from  farm  and  mine  to  mill. 

A  great  back-bone  of  mountains  north  and  south, 

Loaded  with  wealth,  and  serving  to  unite 

Instead  of  separating  east  from  west, 

Eose  massive  'twixt  two  rich  enormous  plains. 

Again  beyond  to  westward,  mountain  chains 

Dividing  from  the  rest  that  land  of  flowers 

Whose  perfect  climate,  soil  and  products  rare, 

Margins  the  great  Pacific.     North  and  south 

Throughout  this  wond'rous  land,  conditions  call 

For  labor,  not  for  ease.     Great  flocks  and  herds 

In  safety,  populate  enormous  tracts, 

And  labor  here  is  offered  a  reward 

Too  great  to  be  ignored  by  rich  or  poor. 

What  then!     Shall  man's  course  from  this  Eden  drive 

The  sons  of  man?     Shall  labor  always  curse? 

BROTHERHOOD 

A   WARM,  pervasive  atmosphere  of  hope, 

The  inspiration  of  each  other's  work, 
With  stimulating  power  lent  to  each  one 
An  ardor  and  a  zeal  his  work  to  do. 
Here  was  the  place  where  work  was  truly  blessed, 
For  each  a  sovereign  labored  as  a  king 


102 


His  own  estate  to  build.     But  all  learned  too 
That  all  must  prosper  if  himself  would  grow. 
Slowly  was  learned  this  truth  which  underlies 
The  brotherhood  of  man — a  brother's  love. 
Work  is  not  toil  when  love,  instead  of  hate, 
Compels  the  labor.     So  our  fellows'  health, 
Their  education  and  prosperity, 
Prompted  perhaps  by  selfish  motives,  come 
To  give  help  based  on  economic  good. 
Each  prospers  best  when  each  can  bear  a  part; 
Hatred  destroys  and  ignorance  is  loss. 
Far  from  the  perfect  thought  by  Christ  instilled 
That  man's  great  duty,  next  to  loving  God, 
Was  toward  his  brother  man.     But  int'rest  tends 
To  service  which  in  time  develops  love. 
Prompted  by  interest,  progress  inspires  hope; 
Tho'  gratitude  returns  but  little  thanks, 
The  blessing  comes  to  him  who  freely  gives. 
The  workers  in  this  wondrous  land,  now  bright 
With  hope,  prosperity  and  new  ideals, 
Belated  to  each  other  by  the  ties 
Of  mutual  interest  and  activity, 
Spoke  with  one  speech,  nor  ever  thought  to  find 
If  he,  with  whom  he  worked  was  of  his  race. 
Such  prejudice  as  that  which  he  had  known, 


103 


From  BabekJo:  s*  s£l  *****  5  .,!>'«  r< ••' 

When  severed  by  an  alien  tongue  from  those 
Of  joining  lands,  was  quickly  swept  away 
Upon  the  soil  where  common  language  held 
Impartial  sway.     All  understood — all  worked — 
And  as  the  broader  horizon  appeared 
Showing  with  duty,  privilege  and  gain, 
With  sovereignty,  new  thoughts  and  high  ideals, 
All  of  this  race,  from  all  the  races  sprung, 
Eevived  man's  knowledge  of  his  fellow  man. 

'""Pms  strange  anomoly  was  not  at  first 

Observed  by  those  who  helped  to  make  it  real, 
Who  in  the  war  fought  side  by  side  with  those 
Of  other  nations  late  opposed.     But  soon, 
Daughters  and  sons  of  alien  sires  espoused, 
Merging  their  interest  without  thought  of  race. 
All  spoke  one  language  here,  nor  thought  to  ask 
Of  those  they  loved,  regarding  ancestry. 
Their  friends  at  home  could  hardly  understand, 
But  viewing  wealth  and  happiness  increase 
Themselves  awakened  to  enquire  the  cause. 
Slowly  their  understanding  of  results 
Began  to  stimulate  their  narrow  thought. 
Hither  in  larger  numbers  came  mankind, 
Here  new  conditions  found  which  forced  them  all 


104 


Brotherhood 


To  give  their  best  if  good  they  would  receive. 

But  when  they  in  their  turn  saw  their  old  life 

They  wondered,  and  contempt  expressed  of  those 

Who  lived  in  hatred,  bigotry  and  sloth, 

Fond  of  the  blighting  chains  that  held  them  fast 

To  a  destructive  prejudice,  of  those 

Who  spoke  another  language  than  their  own. 

Europe  was  waking,  slowly  seeing  light 

Keflected  from  her  children's  happiness. 

Meantime  no  less  than  Europe,  was  the  light 

Sending  its  rays  to  farthest  Orient. 

This  mighty  land  that  broke  the  heaving  swell 

Of  both  great  oceans,  bridged  the  gulf  between 

The  ancient  laggard  and  the  warring  West. 

A  ray  of  light  from  here  touched  old  Japan. 

She  woke,  startled  to  find  the  world  had  sped 

Long  way  beyond  her.     Quickly  she  arose 

No  laggard  now,  but  eager  to  assume 

Her  place  among  the  nations.     Kindred  too 

Tho'  separated  long,  her  pulses  beat 

When  on  congenial  soil  she  met  mankind 

In  utmost  Occident.     More  quickly  too 

Was  preached  and  learned  at  home,  the  gospel  new, 

Of  man's  dependence  on  his  brother  man. 

Skilful  in  arts,  though  fatalist  in  faith, 


105 


From  Babel  to 


She  knew  not  whence  the  inspiration,  but 
Putting  in  practice  what  she  found  of  worth, 
Exemplified  the  teaching  of  the   Christ. 
Care  for  each  soldier's  health  helped  victory; 
A  brother's  welfare  superseded  fate. 

THE  NORMAL  LIFE 

ONWARD  the  surges  roll  through  distant  lands 
Eevealing  truth  by  contact  with  its  works. 
Slowly  but  certainly,  the  wave  moves  on 
That  bears  the  unspoken  message  of  great  joy. 
Nations  have  learned  that  noble  lives  within 
Have  been  to  them  as  lost  through  ignorance. 
One  blessed  with  learning  gives  his  country  skill, 
One  blessed  with  health  is  worth  a  thousand  ill. 
One  blessed  with  virtue  bears  his  country's  trust 
One  blessed  with  conscience  loves  where  others  lust. 
Not  by  great  numbers  but  by  valiant  men 
Inspired  by  love  of  liberty  and  truth; 
Not  by  a  ruler's  wealth  or  long  descent 
Have  victories  been  won  or  prestige  bought. 
The  simple  workman  banded  with  his  kind 
Possessed  of  high  ideals  and  higher  faith, 
Has  wrought  by  learning,  health  and  virtues,  all 

106 


Brotherhood 


And  much  more  than  the  proudest  potentate. 

How  blest  a  nation  peopled  with  such  sons. 

How  happy  they  who  such  a  nation  make. 

If  slowly  shall  the  nations  of  the  earth 

Speaking  one  language,  learn  the  vital  truth, 

Yet  surely  shall  they  come  to  apprehend 

Its  visible  attainment  and  its  cause. 

Man's  normal  life  demands  activity, 

His  trend  is  upward  toward  a  high  ideal, 

Unburdened  by  the  overwhelming  rule 

Of  artificial  aristocracy. 

A  democratic  freedom  must  exist 

For  hope's  development.     Labor  is  right 

And  equal  opportunity,  must  aid 

As  inspiration  for  its  highest  aims. 

Work,  with  the  stimulus  of  good  reward, 

Will  grow  toward  increase  of  accomplishment 

And  elevate  all  others  with  itself. 

Truth  is  the  key,  by  which  shall  be  revealed 

The  best  attainment  for  the  general  state. 

Hence  may  arise  not  one,  who  far  above 

His  fellows  reaches  high  a  pinnacle, 

But  all  who  come  truth's  power  to  realize, 

Seize  on  new  knowledge  and  appropriate 

That  which  themselves  and  others  will  improve. 


107 


From  Babel  to 


He  who  most  benefits  his  fellow  man 

Produces  what  man  needs.     Two  spears  of  wheat 

That  grow  where  only  one  would  grow  before, 

Is  brought  to  pass  by  minds  resembling  that 

Which  brought  from  chaos  order,  beauty,  form, 

God's  children  with  His  spirit  burning  bright. 

The  pride  of  birth,  of  wealth,  of  sounding  name, 

Are  in  this  land  and  age  of  slight  avail. 

But  if  with  godly  lives  and  honest  toil 

Their  fathers  wrought,  great  is  the  heritage, 

Which  added  to  their  work,  makes  men  more  fit 

To  fill  the  places  the  new  life  demands. 

To  every  man,  a  world  within  himself, 

Is  given  to  aid  or  hinder  God's  design, 

And  no  man  lives  unto  himself  alone. 

Our  nature  has  not  changed  with  all  the  years, 

And  only  as  our  spirit,  fed  by  God, 

With  our  permission  overcomes  the  flesh, 

Shall  we  maintain  in  purity  our  hope. 

Here  has  been  found  the  opportunity 

To  realize  our  best  ideals  of  life. 

United  in  our  interests  and  our  hopes, 

Viewing  the  future  with  calm  confidence, 

And  knowing  that  with  effort,  purity, 

And  love,  the  world's  best  years  are  on  ahead. 


108 


Brotherhood 


The  fragments  of  the  scattered  sons  of  men 

Are  now  becoming  brothers  through  one  speech, 

One  language,  and  their  former  hate  has  changed 

As  better  understanding  unifies 

All  races  in  a  common  interest. 

The  scattered  fragments  of  the  broken  wheel, 

Uniting  as  the  magnet  draws  the  steel, 

In  this  the  land  reserved  to  them  by  God, 

Finding  the  love  of  God  made  manifest 

In  simple  lives  devoted  to  His  use, 

Warmed  by  love  of  man  for  man  as  taught 

By  Christ, — become  a  fused  and  welded  whole. 

Large  are  the  prophecies,  and  great  the  hopes 

That  now  appear  before  the  sons  of  men. 

No  race  is  alien  now  nor  none  so  low 

In  culture  or  in  form  of  life,  but  shows 

Response  to  love.     The  brotherhood  of  man 

Encircling  the  fair  earth  has  seen  the  light. 

The  dark  and  selfish  past  yields  to  the  rays 

That  penetrate  the  utmost  depths  of  gloom. 

Each  has  a  duty  to  perform.     The  rich 

Responsible  for  much,  must  wisely  use 

The  wealth  entrusted  to  his  care.     The  learned 

Must  not  for  selfish  purposes  retain 

His  wisdom  for  his  own  aggrandisement. 


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From  Babel  to 


The  laborer  may  not  with  surly  sloth 

End  his  day's  work  and  lay  him  down  to  sleep. 

Each  to  the  other  so  relates  that  all  must  do 

For  others  what  he'd  have  them  do  for  him. 

The  common  good  demands  the  use  of  wealth, 

Of  wisdom  and  of  labor  all  combined, 

But  each  must  serve  by  personal  good  will, 

Using  not  only  his  possessions,  but 

Adding  to  his  gift  himself  as  well. 

Gifts  weaken  those  receiving  them,  except 

The  spirit  of  a  brother  goes  with  each 

And  stimulates  encouragement  with  love. 

OBEDIENCE  AND  FILIAL  LOVE 

'T'HUS  far  the  world  has  brought  the  human  race 
To  find  its  way — to  know  both  man  and  God. 
Knowing  each  other  by  swift  intercourse 
There  is  no  longer  distance  or  degree 
That  makes  us  strangers  to  the  utmost  bounds 
Of  this  round  earth.     The  hap'nings  of  a  day, 
Each  day  are  known  wherever  man  has  come 
By  progress  and  by  educative  means, 
To  adopt  the  arts  and  ways  of  modern  life. 
Once  more  is  common  speech  throughout  the  world 


1 10 


Brotherhood 


By  intercourse  of  nations  in  this  land, 

Where  all  commingle  and  where  races  merge, 

Become  the  welding  power  of  all  mankind. 

Fast  grows  the  saving  knowledge  of  that  love 

That  holds  the  interests  of  his  fellow  man 

As  equal  to  his  own.     The  health,  the  hope, 

The  liberty,  well-being  and  increase 

That  make  for  greatness  and  a  perfect  whole, 

While  permeating  through  our  busy  lives, 

Increases  love  for  that  dear  Father,  who 

With  utmost  patience  wrought  the  wondrous  work, 

Guiding  our  ways  and  leading  us  along 

As  children,  through  a  kindly  discipline, 

To  fuller  knowledge  of  His  thought  and  plan. 

The  utmost  bounty  lies  on  every  hand 

Within  our  reach.     The  consummation  of 

Its  best  enjoyment  and  its  worthy  use, 

Now  first  requiring  to  be  understood, 

We  raise  with  gratitude  our  loving  hearts 

To  our  dear  Parent  who  has  made  the  gift. 

Children  we  are,  imperfect,  slow  to  learn, 

Beginning  as  a  race  hundreds  of  years 

To  master  poorly  some  most  obvious  truths. 

But  ripening  time  develops  its  sure  work, 

By  which  at  last  united  in  one  song, 


in 


From  Babel  to 


Speaking  again  one  language,  all  mankind 
Will  give  their  Father  voluntary  love, — 
Man's  duty  and  the  Father's  recompense. 


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Brotherhood 


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